Although this report came out in April on how social media and health care are merging online to empower patients and providers, I still want to bring it to your attention.
Why?
Because with the proliferation of all things considered “social media”– including social networks, (Facebook, MySpace), blogs, wikis, video-sharing, podcasts, etc., individuals are not only […]

Continue reading 'The Wisdom of Patients: How Social Media Is Empowering Our Health Care' »

I’m a bit surprised that so many people think their medical information has been lost or stolen. But I’m wondering why they think so.
According to The Harris Poll®, four percent or an estimated nine million American adults believe that they or a family member have had confidential personal medical information either lost or stolen.
Results […]

Continue reading 'Millions Believe Their Health Records Lost or Stolen: I’m Wondering Why' »

In a move that aims to ease consumer fear over the use of online personal health management tools and services, Dossia, Google, Intuit, Microsoft, and WebMD joined major health care providers, health insurers, and consumer and privacy groups in endorsing a set of practices for new online services that help consumers track and improve […]

Continue reading 'Health Industy Players, Including Google, Microsoft, Agree to Privacy Standards' »

Two major health insurers recently made deals with Google Health and Microsoft’s Healthvault, paving the way for other health insurers to follow suit and heating up the PHR industry scramble for health insurer partnerships.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts announced last week that it is partnering with Google Health to allow its members to […]

Continue reading 'PHRs and Health Insurers: They’re All the Rage…For Now' »