Dr Google and Dr Microsoft

Here is another update on the evolving role of our our nation's two big software powerhouses in the healthcare arena.

"By combining better Internet search tools, the vast resources of the Web and online personal health records, both companies are betting they can enable people to make smarter choices about their health habits and medical care."

Hmmm.  Enabling people to make smarter choices about healthcare sounds like a good thing.  Now, how do we figure out, as a medical community, what those smarter choices really are?  One of the biggest barriers these types of efforts will face is being able to assess performance and outcomes from various health practices and medical care.  Is physical therapy superior to surgery for back pain?  In what cases is this so?  Is all physical therapy the same, or does it vary widely, preventing an across the board recommendation as to its effectiveness?

Well, I know the answers, but how does Google or Microsoft know the answer?

Eric

Comments

[Jeff Hathaway]

Imagine the leverage we could have in the marketplace if only we knew (as a profession) what our identity is and then coupled it with this technology. I wonder if we as a profession are clear on who we are? - If we don't know then how will Google or Microsoft ever get it right?

We have no single message being sent about who we are or how we best fit into the healthcare system. Our current messages in the marketing world are so disjointed, unclear, wishy washy and at best best related to social trends not market forces. They certainly are not comunicated in a way to create a preferred brand. What is the average consumers "gut feeling" about physical therapy? I think if we asked that question of the average consumer, we would have an "EF Hutton" moment (for the younger generation that would be "silence")