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The Wave Is Approaching, Are We Ready?

Over the past few years, we have seen increased use of social media throughout healthcare. Consumers are utilizing new online communities and tools to help make healthcare decisions. According to a recent survey, the Internet is the most widely used resource for health information: 59% of adults use online resources to obtain health and wellness information, 55% go to their doctors and 29% talk to relatives, friends or co-workers. (iCrossing Survey) Innovators such as Patients Like Me, Inspire, ChangeHealthcare, ReliefInsite, and many others are empowering patients and helping to improve care.

The number of adults turning to the web will only increase as the growing physician shortage and industry shift towards consumer directed healthcare drive more consumers to search elsewhere for health advice. Social media is changing healthcare, the only question is how we as physicians will react. Will we embrace similar tools to transform our practices and how we deliver care, or will we let the wave of innovation pass us by? In the coming months, we will explore these issues together in The Ozmosis Blog.

Jason Bhan, MD Co-Founder, Ozmosis