As reported by Politico, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner found herself in hot water when she told Joe Biden that, irrespective of access, he wouldn't understand his medical record. The social health infosphere was outraged. My take: Judy was wrong to imply that Joe shouldn't have access to his stuff. Judy was right to suggest that a chunk of Joe's stuff is beyond what he ... Continue Reading about The Illusion of Empowerment
Who Owns a Physician’s Smartphone?
In 1994 when I was a first year gastroenterology fellow cell phones were expensive and scarce. When I was on call I stayed close to the house and my personal land line phone. If I was paged out at dinner I used a pay phone or begged the hostess to borrow the house phone. So we petitioned our division chief to buy a cell phone for fellow use during weekend call. It ... Continue Reading about Who Owns a Physician’s Smartphone?
23andMe and a Doctor’s Control
This is the opening of a Quartz article reporting on the FDA’s recent 23andMe approval to sell analysis for 10 genetically linked diseases: Doctors are losing their role as the gatekeeper of our health information, for better or worse. The article concludes with this question: As patients get more information, the important question to ask is: Will they know what ... Continue Reading about 23andMe and a Doctor’s Control
Digital Therapeutics – The Third Phase of Medicine
Chrissy Farr in Technology Review (Can Digital Therapeutics Be as Good as Drugs?) this week pulls back the curtain on digital therapeutics, Silicon Valley’s latest angle in health. Digital therapeutics, or “digiceuticals,” as some call them, have become a Holy Grail in some quarters of Silicon Valley, where investors see the chance to deliver medicine through your ... Continue Reading about Digital Therapeutics – The Third Phase of Medicine
Fitbit – Can it Save Your Life?
Apparently. A Connecticut woman wasn't feeling well and noticed on her Fitbit that her heart rate was climbing. She sought medical help and it was determined that she had a blood clot in her lungs. Kind of remarkable. But let’s face it, we’re desperate for stories about digital gimmicks that save lives. It’s these stories that fuel saucy digital health keynote ... Continue Reading about Fitbit – Can it Save Your Life?
EHR and Challenges of the Modern Medical Note
There was a time when documentation was an almost inconsequential process. After seeing a patient, the doctor would scratch a note, close the folder, and file it on a shelf until the next visit. Things are different and the medical note has evolved. As it’s evolved, electronic health records (EHR) have brought efficiencies to the medical note while introducing new ... Continue Reading about EHR and Challenges of the Modern Medical Note