Has anyone participated in the health social network iMedix? I first read about this idea a few years ago on TechCrunch and it looks like they’re still around and kicking. I really like the idea of an empowered patient. I like the idea of having good information. I’m just not sure that iMedix or many other websites are the places for patients to get that information.
I wonder if iMedix could possibly start partnering with EHR companies to provide their platform of information integrated with a doctor’s portal. I’m not sure the doctor would ever go for it or if they would want to take on that liability. However, iMedix is interesting as kind of a Yahoo Answers for medical questions.
I’ve certainly seen this a few other places on the web and whenever I see it, I think about my experience at the doctor. Usually they don’t have time to answer all of my questions or it feels rushed or other questions just come up after the fact. Plus, I kind of like to know all the nuances of what’s happening. Since I work daily with a number of doctors, I’ve often found myself going and visiting with those doctors to become more educated about the treatment suggested by mine or my children’s doctors. One time my son was prescribed some interesting drugs for Mastocytosis and so I went and talked with the pharmacist I support and learned about the drugs as well. I just wanted to learn everything I could about the treatment and disease.
At the end of the day, how different is it for someone to go on a health website and ask the questions that I asked the doctors and pharmacist I work with? I guess the main difference is the trust factor between information on a website and my colleagues at work. However, the motivation to get more information is the same.
What can’t be discounted is the power of these health social networks to help patients with similar chronic conditions to interact with each other. I find this type of interaction really interesting to follow.
i think MEDhelp are doing that or on the way.
In any case there are much bigger health social networks, iMedix is a relevantly small site
dart,
There are actually a ton of sites doing it. I just used iMedix as an example since I first found them 2 years ago and they’re still around today.
The pending arrival of Google Wave has the potential to change this game entirely and allow all EHR vendors to quickly and robustly add these types of functions. Wave is both open source software and a communications protocol. Only a Google would have the wherewithal to pull it off. Of course, this year all of these vendors will have to waste time on CCHIT……..so maybe by 2012?
How do you see Google Wave filling this niche? No doubt Google Wave sounds interesting. I’m just not sure how Google Wave is going to hit healthcare.
There are many sites attempting to empower the public regarding their own health and only time will tell which ones best serve patients and gain traction. One key aspect of any of these sites is making members feel comfortable to post their thoughts while at the same time removing the content from those trying to push an agenda or sell product. I think that while the website operators must be vigilant to keep people from posting dubious treatments, there is still much to be gained in getting people talking about treatment options that their doctors may not be offering.