One of the central themes during both the Health 2.0 conference and the Disruptive Women in Health Care Breakfast events was the growing role of the patient in their health care decisions. Whereas once patients were limited to the information given by their doctor and perhaps an encyclopedia at home, patients now have the Internet to provide a world of new information. And this new world of information is empowering patients with questions, solutions, research, and more, to play a more active role in their health care choices.
One of the most popular ways of gathering and sharing health information is through targeted social networks, like Patients Like Me. More than just a social network, Patients Like Me captures and shares valuable results among patients, health care professionals, and industry organizations that are trying to treat disease. NextGenWeb spoke with the website’s Chairman and Co-Founder, Jamie Heywood, about the site and what makes it so successful. “Simplicity of use is necessary, but the real thing you have to focus on is solving a problem for someone.”
People are also able to take better control of their health with broadband-enabled tools designed around general health and wellness. Although many websites geared towards diet and exercise offer information, there is a movement of innovation around taking the next steps to motivation, tracking and sharing. NextGenWeb spoke with Nicholas Tolson, the CEO of FitFeud, an online fitness competition site while at the Health 2.0 Conference. See how his company is embracing broadband for wellness below.
