Chairperson
Tom Ferguson, M.D., Senior Associate, Center for Clinical Computing, Harvard Medical School;
President, Self-Care Productions
Panelists
Don Kemper, M.P.H., President, Healthwise, Inc.
Steven Marine, M.D., NetWellness, University of Cincinnati
Edward Madara, Director, American Self-Help Clearinghouse
David Robertson, CEO/President, HealthWorld Online
J.J. Singh, President, CareSoft, Inc.
STATEMENT OF THE SUBJECT
A new breed of online health resources for consumers--online medical information, online
support communities, patient-provider e-mail and more--will require major changes in the
ways we think about and practice health care.
With these new tools and current system-wide cost constraints, consumers will play an
upgraded role in their own care, and health professionals will increasingly serve as facilitators
and supporters of self-managed care. The empowered medical
consumer--supported by current and future online
systems--will be an essential resource for Information Age health care.
KEY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
What kinds of online health services are most useful to health consumers? Which consumers can
benefit most from online health resources? What types of online resources can provide the
greatest cost savings, while maintaining or increasing quality of care? How do the benefits of online resources run by self-helpers compare with those run by health professionals? How can health professionals use e-mail to communicate more effectively with their clients? Under what conditions should providers supply the hardware required for online connections to their clients?
ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND PRIORITIES OF KEY SECTORS
1. Consumers: Create and maintain member-run, self-help-oriented online resources that provide information and support for others with shared concerns. Critique professionally-designed online resources to make sure they are built around the needs and preferences of consumers. Help train health professionals in the empowerment model.
2. Developers: Develop systems that meet the needs of all stakeholders: consumers, family members, and providers. Involve consumers in every stage of developing and improving online systems. To support consumer health competence, autonomy, and self-responsibility. Support self-help networking among clients who share a common health concern. Support and encourage online provider-client communications.
3. Providers: Encourage and support online communications between clients and health professionals. Help clinicians become more proficient and comfortable with online communications. Develop online competence among staff members by supporting early adopters and developing internal pilot programs.
4. Legislators: Unify and update medical licensure laws to remove barriers to accessing medical information, advice, and support across State lines. Protect "Online Good Samaritans" from malpractice suits. Protect confidentiality of private medical information.
5. Executive: Fund innovative pilot programs and evaluations in the area of
online health resources. Fund professional education of providers in online
communications.
Tom Ferguson, M.D.
President, Self-Care Productions
drtomhi@aol.com