Peer-to-Peer Health Care

Discussion

It's about hope

Addressed to physicians:

"According to a 2011 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, one in four Internet users living with a chronic illness has gone online to find other people with similar health needs. As a trusted source for healthcare information, you can use social media to reinforce that role by creating a channel for their connectivity. Your effort provides value and supports patients during their journey to wellness.

But what are these peer-to-peer connections about? In a word, “hope.” Patients are hoping to find answers, information, advice and empathy. They are hoping to find someone who truly “gets” what they are experiencing or has “been where they are” and made it through. Yes, they are hoping to find – hope.

Patients want to connect with you but they also want to connect with one another. Use your social media presence to facilitate their efforts. Are you helping them have the conversation? We hope so.

Your efforts will lead to connections, enable shared experiences and offer hope for better health outcomes." (http://www.memphismedicalnews.com/peer-to-peer-health-care-generating-hope-cms-1944)