A small collection of interesting things I came across this week. I’m trying to figure out how to become an effective curator.
Headhunters beware: It’s the Airbnb of medicine
Sick of Uber analogies in healthcare? We’re just getting warmed up. Try the AirBnB for doctors. Physician headhunters are the next victims of the gig economy. This WSJ piece covers the disintermediation of the locum tenens market. And if you read between the lines it would appear medicine is evolving to meet the selfish needs of its youngest wave of recruits. When it comes to patients, it’s all about me.
Social Media Influencers Finally Come to Medicine
Looking like something from 2004, this Wired piece makes patient involvement on social networks look like the hot new thing. Apparently Wired didn’t get the memo that doctors were in the public realm long before social media existed. And we’re still there. Interesting that a piece of this nature makes no mention of doctors who despite rumors to the contrary, still contribute to the health care team.
Vasectomy Madness
While I was unaware, vasectomy parties are apparently the rage during March Madness. Or at least according to this doctor’s publicist. If for nothing else, click through to see the only doctor in the free world with a Playboy poster hanging in his reception area. Somehow he looks too old for that.
Internet of Sperm
March Madness vasectomy customers can avoid the humiliation of carrying biosamples around town. These guys have an iPhone-enabled device for personal assessment of your sperm count. I’m going to leave it there.
Medical Drone Detail
A hospital system in Logano Switzerland is formally using drones to deliver specimens between hospitals. Matternet drones carry payloads of up to four pounds and move at a speed of about 22 miles per hour. The program is in a test phase with the Swiss Aviation Authority. It’s interesting that regulation is unlikely to allow this kind of innovation in the United States.
Fitbit turns 10
Hard to believe Fitbit is 10 years old. 60 million devices sold. They don’t disclose how many occupy dresser drawer real estate. As I have suggested, unless Fitbit pulls out something big they’re destined to become the Wang Computer of digital health.
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