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Health 2.0 Weaves Technology, Humanity

by Barbara Kram, Editor | October 05, 2009
Health IT meets Web 2.0
in a groundbreaking
San Francisco meeting this week
Web 2.0 is a common idea on the internet, referring to content created by users--for instance blogs. It's the functional interactivity of people and web sites. Now along comes Health 2.0 and a groundbreaking conference this week. The Health 2.0 Conference was October 6-7, 2009 at the Concourse Design Center, San Francisco, CA.

What is Health 2.0?

"Our definition is currently focusing on user-generated aspects of Web 2.0 within health care but not directly interacting with the mainstream health care system," according to the organizers' website. So it's outside the mainstream of traditional medicine. Or is it? Some electronic medical records platforms depend heavily on patient-provided input. And many diseases depend entirely on patient reported symptoms to be diagnosed. Today's health web sites are putting more detailed clinical information at patients' fingertips. So, the intersection of Health 2.0 and conventional medicine may have already begun.

The conference--Health 2.0 is the name of the group and the event--has some heavy hitters. The keynote will be given by Aneesh Chopra, Assistant to President Obama and Chief Technology Officer, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The event also features a panel discussion on groupware and the next generation clinician-patient interaction tools. This session focuses on emerging technologies for patient and peer communication for clinicians. In other discussions, physicians and payers will weigh in on advanced technology topics aimed at patient interactivity.

Can Health 2.0 help reduce costs? There's a session on that, too. Health IT and clinical research are among other hot issues as reform debates rage in Washington and billions in federal money is earmarked for health IT.

Technology is moving to the forefront in medicine and patients are gaining increased access to information about health, so Health 2.0 promises to grow in its influence in the near future.

Also note, the first international foray for organizers is coming: Health 2.0 Europe 2010 will be held in Paris on April 6-7, 2010.

Get all the details:
http://www.health2con.com