Web-Tones

Health, Specialized Search?

OK so I am on a health kick (sort of) and I encountered this new search engine  specialized for health related info. Looks like a well put together site and was plugged by all things Web 2.0 Mike Arrington. I have not had time to register and dig into some of their other "amenities" and explore additional health specific content provided, but it looks interesting. Did get more focused hits on my "hypotension and exercise" search and that was promising.

What puzzles me however is why Google just wouldn't jump in and own this market?. They are already the kings of search, how much more would they have to do to own "specialized search engines" of many flavors: health, law, etc. I suppose if Healthline does it right they could be hoping for a payday by selling to the big boys (a likely scenario).

Tags: Health, Health 2.0, Web 2.0, Web2.0

Health & Information

How often do you use the Internet to search for health related issues? Chances are that your use has grown incrementally over time and that often the search has to do with self diagnosis.

I recently noticed a kind of "malaise" the day after a hard (for me) workout. It is not necessarily that my muscles were aching but more of a kind "lethargy". Since this pattern was recurring, I did not work workout as often because of the "next day" effect. Turns out that "hypotension (low blood pressure)" is a possible explanation. I found useful information within about 15 minutes time, and some reasonable steps that might help. This problem was no where serious enough for me to see a doctor but sufficiently troublesome enough to impact my "quality of life".

What's the so what? The better quality and authoritative information that we have readily available, the more literate health consumers we become, the more we can practice "preventive health-care", as opposed to fix me I'm broke" health-care. Tom Peter's rants about it here in part one of his talk from Dubai, ripping into the medical community for the pathetic state of the status quo, however, while I agree with Tom that change is required, consumers have to step up to the plate and accept some responsibility. We need to be better informed! Leveraging the "Internets" is a big step in the right direction.

Tags: Health, Health 2.0

Health 2.0?

Wow, Dr. Gawande provides a fascinating insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with modern medicine. For a reference just check out the glowing reviews available on Amazon. The style is similar to Malcolm Gladwell's, who by the way, provides a strong endorsement for Complications (back of hardcover edition).

I am astonished frankly at the extent of honest conversation. The chapter on "when good doctors go bad" probably would have been sufficient to earn the good doctor permanent "leper" status within the AMA in the not too distant past. This is the "elephant in the room" that no one wanted to talk about; and demonstrates, I think, that while progress is being made, the medical profession is still woefully (like Congress) incapable of self regulation. The Tort system, despite potential for abuse, remains the only vehicle available to patients victimized by bad doctors, and continued silence on the part of the medical profession contributes as much to the problem as attorney greed, perhaps more so.

OK the above paragraph captures my perspective as a student of the law. As a potential patient, I am so much better informed now as to questions that I should ask and the patterns of behavior that are indicia of "bad doctors". I can assure you that I will not allow any doctor that is consistently working 90 hours a week to operate on me or a family member.

But do not let the above "negatives" persuade you that Complications has produced a more negative view of the medical profession on my part. It just confirmed some suspicions. However, I cannot begin to do the breadth and depth of this book justice with a few excerpts. From the advances of medical technology, to the all too human problems that Doctors encounter, this book is a must read for all.

Tags: Health Health 2.0