Health 2.0 is for ALL docs, not just techies and social media junkies

Wikipedia defines health 2.0 as “the participatory healthcare characterized by the ability to rapidly share, classify and summarize individual health information with the goals of improving health care systems, experiences and outcomes via integration of patients and stakeholder.”

Health 2.0 isn’t just a buzz phrase; it’s the essence of our medical system today, whether we want to admit it or not. That one simple phrase captures not just where health care is today but where it’s going and how many savvy patients and big subsets of the medical industry are using today’s healthcare system. That one simple phrase really does say that much.

What I find incredibly intriguing, and frustrating, is that the one group which seems to be holding out to full implementation of Health 2.0 and all the power it can provide are the ones who can benefit from it the most, who would use it the most, and who would get the most out of it: the physicians. Too many doctors are still too skeptical and unsure about Health 2.0 and that is a huge hurdle that has to be addressed.

If you just mention any aspect of Health 2.0 to patients, most can rattle off the myriad of ways it has already helped them. Sure, there are some who have computer and reading literacy issues, as well as health literacy issues, but let’s push that group off to the side for just a moment. Assuming literacy isn’t an issue, patients today are savvy and using all sorts of social media and high tech ways to learn about health care, connect with health care providers and negotiate the system. If their group has something high tech to use, they are early adopters.

In doctorland, however, you’re apt to find two responses when you mention Health 2.0 or any of it’s component:

1. a look of shire panic, or,

2. a look of totally acceptance and excitement. Almost a zen like state of “yes…that’s it. That’s what I’ve been saying!”

Scratching your head, I’m sure you are wondering why more docs are not embracing Health 2.0. There are a few reasons:

1. Fear. Many are fearful of what they do not know and worried about learning. Many of these docs have not yet made the leap to electronic medical record systems or the internet in their offices so anything fancier is just down right scary. I wish I was exaggerating on this point but there are many, many doctors who are not yet high tech. Cost is an issue for some of these docs as well as location. Many have been in solo practice or small group practices for years and the cost for more technology is prohibitive. Many practice in locations without access to high tech systems so they are not familiar with what we know as second nature.

2. Loss of control. Many docs worry that this new type of social media driven medicine will lessen their control over their practices. They don’t understand the power it gives them to control their day and help them be more efficient so they run.

3. Loss of connection with patients. Not understanding the world of social media and networking, many of these docs fear loss of connection with their families. If they gave some of these systems a try, they would see the opposite would occur – patients would go to them instead of sites with these options with anonymous non-medical folks on the other end answering questions.

4. Blinders. Some docs simply do not want to see the wave that is moving the health care system in a new direction. Not liking the current system much, they also don’t want to embrace something new. Tough position to be in.

So, what’s the solution? Education. I’m off to the Health 2.0 Conference in Boston this week as a member of the press to learn about some of the cool trends in Health 2.0 as it applies to the practicing doc, as well as those of us involved in social media and health care. I’ll be chatting with as many vendors, CEOs and leaders of the industry as I can find over the two day conference and will churn out as many tweets, blog posts and articles as needed to bring you the information you need to be not only up to date, but comfortable with Health 2.0. Being a doc myself, I’m one of a new breed of media who is best positioned to report on these stories because I live the clinical life, too.

If you are a doc, check out the Health 2.0 agenda and let me know by twitter or email if you have any questions on any of those topics you want me to look into. I’ll keep a special ear out for you and help find you the answers you seek.