Medicine 3.0: 25 Excellent Social Media Sites for Your Health

November 29, 2010

Recently, Health 2.0 reported that 34 percent of Americans turn to social media for health research. Their information, based upon an iCrossing report, shows that consumers choose Wikipedia, online forums and message boards as their most favored resources for information. Additionally, while these users are looking for answers, they also seek support and interaction.

Interaction is what makes social media a bit different than Web 2.0. While Web 2.0 provides the tools for interaction between a user and a Web site, it may not provide the interaction required for a true “social” experience between the user and other users or site participants. For instance, teens and some adults who have disabilities and diseases such as cancer already use social-networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace.com to connect with peers.

Social media is not “top down” information with little to no interaction. While government groups struggle to impart information such as the latest news about tainted peanut butter products through blogs, Twitter and other Web 2.0 tools, others know that this isn’t enough. When you impart information, you also must respond. It is the era of the consumer, and the consumer is in control.

While some government groups still struggle with social interaction, many grassroots groups and visionaries ‘get it.’ The following 25 sites — among many dozens of other consumer-oriented social media sites — provide venues for patients, advocates, medical personnel, and others to interact on a level playing field. These tools allow news to flow freely, collaboration to become second-nature and support to become as pandemic as the diseases that threaten today’s populations.

The following sites are listed alphabetically under each category. This methodology shows that we do not favor one site over another. Instead of top-down news and information, these sites provide information based upon user-generated input. You can read the latest news about any medical condition or offer and receive support and advice at these sites. Read more

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Aesthetic Accreditation Agency Established

December 15, 2008

Recently in California, medical spas have been the target of legislation intended to regulate the medical spa industry. Aesthetic Accreditation Agency was established in 2008 due to new legislative changes that seek to improve patient safety and the standard of care in the medical spa setting. While hospitals and surgery centers have been accredited by several organizations for decades, the aesthetic facility environment has not had a dedicated accreditation program that examines all aspects of patient safety and quality care. Aesthetic Accreditation Agency is an accrediting and consulting program which will continually monitor and implement advances in aesthetic quality patient care. This requires constant review and revision of standards to reflect the latest changes and developments. We are at the forefront of legislative efforts to provide patients with safety and quality assurance in the medical spa setting. Read more

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