Healthcare communications and marketing news and information

For a financially unbiased, scientifically balanced and thought provoking understanding of the Nutraceutical-Industrial complex:

www.nature.com/clpt/journal/v82/n4/full/6100354a.html

Regards,

M Ridinger, MD

Fard, I agree with you and John. Consumers need a peer, respected identity in the matter that represents a MANAGERIAL pivot -- and CareTALK believes the role of CAREGIVER (self-care and care-giver) should be pulled out of mothballs and infused with new/fresh relevancy and meaning to serve. Healthcare tech needs an emotional quotient media interface/overlay/complement that goes beyond utilities/tools -- for consumers to assume their own modern identity within the context of this new conversation, and assume the (managerial) responsibilities inherent with the complexities involved in a "consumer-directed" healthcare paradigm. WHO is this consumer/manager? From what place do THEY begin to navigate? CareTALK aims to help refresh/redefine and modernize the identification of the term CAREGIVER to help consumers "suit up" and see themselves as empowered -- capable of building their own bridges to the medical/clinical establishment in a managerial-peer-respected identity -- for self/family/friends. The identity of patient is too limiting. Consequently, the amazing array of healthcare tech/online resources are defaults for info search -- or communities for chronic illness. The identity of modern caregiver/manager is one we can/should assume and live with throughout life -- as consumers identify as parents, students, children -- throughout life. The identity of modern caregiver should be internalized and we all pivot from that place -- throughout life -- motivating actionable self-care, caring for others, planning for life's inevitable health setbacks as an integral LIFE PLAN. This identity will give the amazing technologies on deck RELEVANCY and MEANING -- fulfilling the role of emotional quotient lacking thus far. Media/Internet can play a key role in helping redefine and modernize WHO consumers are in the matter -- so we can see ourselves reflected as savvy, proactive managers of our own lifelong care.

I think that Health 2.0 technologies will absolutely enable for higher quality health/care by empowering consumers to make educated decisions that will ultimately take pressure of their doctors/primary caregivers. I feel like most of Health 2.0 technologies are being built by people who care and have seen a problem and are actively trying to solve it. As long as individuals and organizations are building technologies for the benefit of others, than adopting Health 2.0 models into our health-care system should be a great thing.

The Health 2.0 Conference seemed like a good example of the above. A lot of companies that are "Problem Solving" with technology. I watched a lot of good vidoes about the conference over at http://icyou.com

One really interesting site presented during the conference was http://doublecheckmd.com . This site allows you to quickly and easily check to see that if any of the symptoms you are experiencing are a results of the drugs you are taking. The site is really easy to use and uses a form of ‘natural language technology’(NLR) that enables it to recognize the symptoms as you describe them. The combination of NLR with a very easy to use interface should make it easy for doctors patients of all ages/technical abilities to get important and in some cases life saving data about drugs/symptoms.

The site is available for a beta preview right now. I would really like to hear what you have to say about it, I think it is going to help a lot of individuals and save lives. I hope you find it as exciting as I do!

The whole concept of health 2.0 is very interesting. Technology can always work positively with the issues like health. I guess it will be picking up in the future with more info online.