While perusing the World's Most Innovative Companies list this morning, I came across a name that caught my eye - Patients Like Me. Working in health care marketing has quickly trained me to become prone to stopping and looking into things that contain the words "patient", so I clicked through and dove in. I was immediately impressed by the home page. It has a community/social feel yet isn't intimidating, confusing or over-done. The best part is that you can browse through the site without having to be a member. You do need to be a member however to post your info.
It was pretty timely and coincidental that I came across this site, because I am concerning a health issue right now in my life. So I quickly did a search for the condition and instantly found 220 others with the same condition who have logged their symptoms, severities and treatments. From there you can dig deeper into more specific information about a certain treatment, such as side effects, why people are taking it and why people have stopped taking it. You could also do a search for specific symptoms as well as look into real research studies and results. I now have some support information to take with me to my upcoming appointment to ask specific questions based on real experiences.
The smartest thing about this site is that it gives people the ability to make their own informed decisions, versus only relying on the doctor, pharmacist or published drug information. You are in control of your own health and can work together with your doctor to find a solution you are comfortable with from the get-go.
Love seeing new social communities like this that really benefit and empower people.
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