Fantastic article demonstrating just how broken our healthcare system is. I am sure our lawsuit-happy country doesn't help the situation.  And with all the technology pouring into the health care system, how is it possible that people are still carrying their medical images with them?  This also gets into the arena of all the societies telling women to not get mammograms and men to not get prostate screenings.  Why is the healthcare system becoming such a ball of…

Matt Herper brought the vaccine controversy back into the limelight with this piece on Delta Airlines made by the National Vaccine Information Center.  I guess they don’t believe in the influenza vaccine.  When so much of medicine today results in mere symptom management, I find it fascinating how vaccines which have stopped deadly public health diseases and epidemics take such a beating. Consider small pox, rubella, and mumps.  Where would we be if those vaccines weren't…

With health IT on the rise, this is an interesting angle regarding its impact on on communication between doctors and patients which has been a well-studied subject by many institutions including Johns Hopkins.  It is easy to assume that technology would enhance the doctor patient relationship but that unfortunately doesn't seem to be the case.  I have had a few doctors embrace the digitial technology to better communicate with me.  What has been your experience?

In…

I would use it - especially given the crazy listeria and e-coli outbreaks that keep occuring.  What we put into our bodies is getting out of control - whether its the quality or the nutritious component.  It has reached a level where people are looking for ways to empower themselves and not be victims or rely on a small group of people to do monitor food safety for the masses. 

Is this something you could use or is it just one more thing you don't feel like worrying…

I feel like I am always writing about these types of stories but I absolutely love it when I see how technology is making things better in the developing world especially if it involves better access to healthcare in Africa. 

I've seen the power of mobile access first hand in Haiti and through the earthquake. It is such a fantastically powerful tool that is making life easier.  This piece from mashable details how mobile phones are bringing healthcare and…

The below article by John Mack provides an interesting and troubling view of the pharma industry and the big push for orphan drugs and the huge influence PhRMA has over the government.  At first look, it seems like no harm no fowl but what sort of impact is this having on the patient communities suffering from the disease who may not find effective treatment from biologics or chemical compounds but rather a med device. 

Additionally – if orphan diseases need to meet…

An interesting survey from the UK about teenagers seeking sexual health information from websites that might not be the most credible or accurate. While it seems like a perfect venue for a shy teenager to learn more in order to make better decisions which could affect the rest of their lives, if the information isn’t accurate, what’s the point. 

It seems like there is a real need for some sort of grading system that assesses the accuracy of the information.  I think…

The Era of patient empowerment continues with the help of IBM which will allow for better coordination with EMR systems right in the patient's room!

http://www.cmio.net/index.php?option=com_articles&view=article&id=29219

Matt Herper touches on what I think is such an interesting topic - crowdsourcing and medicine.  People are private with their medical records and health for fear of prejudice and judgement.  Let's face it, we live in a very judgemental society but will the quest for a diagnosis or just good care push those fears out of the way? We are all organic beings and it is inevitable that things will break down! No one is immune to that. 

What do you all…

Wow - Are we really having this conversation already? 

PharmaGuy addresses one of the more concerning issues around social media and pharma.  If it's unsolicited requests or unsolicited statements involving off-label information, there needs to be a safe way for communicators to appropriately handle. 

First FDA Social Media Guidance to Address Responding to "Unsolicited Requests" for Off-label…

This is interesting - it seems like this hospital in the UK is really using the ipad to its fullest.

Patients at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital are trialling the UK’s first online health tracker. The iPad-based system allows patients to record live online their recovery from spinal surgery, and feeds information back to clinicians so that over time they can assess the effectiveness of…

Have you wondered how social media is changing the game for crisis management.  Attached is a good blog that walks through a recent crisis involving a congressman and a Craig's List posting, resulting in a real hot mess.   The blog then details what that hot mess could look like if it was a pharma crisis and the importance of having some social media assets ready to go before the crisis hits.  Very interesting read. 

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Rather than continuing to wait for FDA guidance, more and more pharmaceutical companies are diving into social media with both feet.  Roche Diabetes launched a facebook page and twitter handle to help people living with diabetes.  Their Facebook page already has a good size community with people sharing ideas and tips on living with diabetes.  When you see how helpful these online communities targeting specific drug states can be, it is good to see that despite the FDA, industry is…

Here is one pharma social media marketer's suggestions for what to do as we all wait for FDA guidance. 

http://sirensong.sireninteractive.com/social-media/what-pharmaceutical-marketers-can-do-in-the-absence-of-fda-social-media-guidance/

I absolutely love these kinds of stories!  The fact that technology can improve health care and health delivery/access in Africa and other nations is fantanstic!

http://www.canada.com/health/Africa+turns+cellphones+better+health/4529199/story.html

I guess its not just industry that is confusing the FDA when it comes to the the internet and social media.  It continues to be fascinating as to how all of this plays out.

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Having worked with a few EMR vendors, I've come to appreciate what a big purchase this is - so choosing the right solution is critical.  Here is a good article from KevinMD about the EMR selection process. 

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/03/supportive-physicians-management-implement-ehr.html#more-51573…

Ed Silverman wrote a whole piece on PR firms representing medical societies and pharma which he feels is a conflict of interest. 

http://www.pharmalot.com/