I spent the day today at HealthCamp Boston with some 150 medical thinkers. It was my first experience at a HealthCamp. If you’ve never been, it’s best described as an organic, roll-your-sleeves-up, stand-at-the-whiteboard, open source, ad lib meeting centered around health 2.0. Come with your issues and create an argument. Lots of discussion, talent and passion.
But unfortunately, no doctors (actually, there was a small handful). Yes indeed, health care is in the midst of an cataclysmic shift and we can’t get a little medical representation.
“But they’re busy.” We’re all busy. We have no choice but to be involved.
“They’re late adopters.” Now is the time to adopt, if not to innovate.
“They can’t see the value.” Funny…everyone else does.
While we’re all lucky to have such passionate patient advocates, health policy experts, IT professionals and allied health workers who are willing to take a day to help sort out issues, physicians are the missing link.
Hopefully the showing at tomorrow’s Health 2.0 will give me more hope that the medical profession is invested in shaping the future of health.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Dr V:
As has always been the case in my experience, doctors will be late to the party. Other than the younger, more tech savvy, or perhaps retired demographic, they generally don't have time nor incentive to join conversation let alone show up for events.
Whether it's managed care, strategic planning, or marketing type conversations, mainstream physician participation lags the "innovation" (or change) curve.
In social media, or its more generic consumer empowerment health 2.0 iteration, I suspect we'll see a replay of history to date.
Good to see you in the mix.
aka @2healthguru
I agree with Gregg (aka @2healthguru).
When you have a room full of patients, inbox full of labs, and a stack of patient call backs, it is difficult to prioritize a movement that has yet to demonstrate any significant value in enhancing how doctors deliver care. Especially doctors in private practice where revenue is linked directly to patient seen, not online interactions.
In many medical practices, docs barely have enough time to drink a glass of water or take more than a few minutes for a meal break, let alone check their email.
Perhaps medical providers in an academic settings can lead the front?
Until we are able to remove the power insurance companies have over the US health care system, and address medical malpractice issues, I don't see Health 2.0 making any significant change in our health system.
aka @PediatricInc
Like in most things in life, you can make time for anything. It's just a matter of making it a priority. Unfortunately, doctors have generally been unable or unwilling to make technology a priority.