The Wisdom of Patients

Respected health economist Jane Sarasohn-Kahn and the California Health Foundation have published an inspiring new report with a title I love: The Wisdom of Patients. Sarasohn-Kahn investigates the ways social media are empowering patients and providers to collaborate in new ways -- a collaboration we often call "Health 2.0." Among her findings:

• People in search of health answers are often willing to trade off aspects of their privacy if a site makes clear how their information will be used.
• Online social networks can be sources of misinformation, but good online communities are self-correcting.
• Consumers are smart enough not to rely on a single source of information on health topics.
• Emotional support is nice, but online health audiences want information first.
• Consumers will pay for online health content they perceive as trustworthy and valuable to them personally.
• As a business, Health 2.0 is still emerging, with a number of different models in use.
• Health 2.0 is a disruptive force, changing the interactions among patients, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and other actors on the healthcare stage.

The report also includes profiles of Health 2.0 players like diabetes blogger Amy Tenderich and Matthew Zachary of I'm Too Young For This!. Well worth reading -- download it here.