By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    tips for getting drugs from an online pharmacy
    How to Get Prescriptions Online Reliably and Cost-Effectively
    November 9, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Congresswoman’s Staff Renews Call for Funding of Care for Complex Head Injuries
    April 22, 2011
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Squandering Medicare’s Money
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: ePatients: What’s the Big Deal?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Global Healthcare > ePatients: What’s the Big Deal?
Global HealthcareHealth ReformHospital AdministrationMedical EducationMedical InnovationsMedical RecordsMobile HealthPublic HealthRemote DiagnosticsSocial Media

ePatients: What’s the Big Deal?

johnhbrownlee
Last updated: March 15, 2013 8:00 am
johnhbrownlee
Share
4 Min Read
ePatients
SHARE

ePatientsOver the last couple of weeks I’ve been speaking with a “ePatients” (empowered patients) about their experiences in healthcare, what they think about digital health, how they interact with providers, and a host of other issues.

ePatientsOver the last couple of weeks I’ve been speaking with a “ePatients” (empowered patients) about their experiences in healthcare, what they think about digital health, how they interact with providers, and a host of other issues.

I’ve felt so lucky to be able to have these conversations, and as the CEO of a digital health company I realize how important it is to continue to think about all sides of the healthcare equation. It can be so easy to get tunnel vision in this business!

The physician who introduced me to these individuals, Dr. Larry Chu at Stanford (@larrychu) – who is, himself, passionate about promoting the role of patients in the healthcare process – sent me an email asking me the questions below.

More Read

More Nursing Shortage Myth Building
Design a Healthcare App in These Easy Steps
Mobile Medical Device Connects OR to Content and Reps
How to Advocate For Yourself In and Out of the Hospital
Why the U.S. Healthcare System Ranks Worst in the Developed World

1) How has talking with ePatients benefited your vision and your company?

One reason I believe many digital health startups fail is because they build solutions for their customers (healthcare providers) while their end users are often patients. This mis-alignment can ruin a value proposition.

In our case, at clear.md, we have to be focused on providers because they are our customers. But the video content they create for their patients is the real product, and the patients have to be the focus. We have to create innovative experiences that improve the lives of patients, and that means we need to include the voices of patients in the design and execution of those experiences. If we remember that simple fact then there is a much better chance that the solution and the content we deliver will impact peoples lives for the better.

2) What did you find most valuable about speaking with ePatients?

Surprisingly, the world of digital health can be a dehumanizing place. But then again, so can healthcare in general.

Including ePatients in what we’re doing helps to encourage a human element to the discussion. We talk about “outcomes” and “workflow” and “data.” They talk about when to shave their legs, and “hacks” for managing pain that “the doctor will never tell you about.” These are the real experiences that patients deal with that we have to find ways to improve.

3) What are some of the new ideas that you came up with that you might not have on your own?

An entirely new way to think about how to introduce/humanize providers to their patients through a new kind of profile video/vidscription.

4) What would you say about including ePatients to other startups in the consumer-facing health IT arena?

Your customer might be a provider, clinic, health system, or payer but your success ultimately depends on improving the lot of patients, so you better include them in your business. It’s not as easy a concept to embrace as it might sound. So…”Build for the provider, but innovate for the patient.”

TAGGED:clear.mddigital healthdoctor/patient engagementePatientHealth ITpatient engagement
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

eHealthMedical InnovationsTechnology

Application and Challenges of IoT in Healthcare

May 9, 2018
Clinical Trial Marketing, Patient Recruitment, Patient Engagment
BusinesseHealthSocial Media

3 Ways to Keep Patients Engaged During Long-Term Clinical Trials

August 4, 2014

Sensors and Smartphones Bring the Baby Monitor Into 2013

June 12, 2013
Patient Satisfaction
BusinessHospital Administration

7 Psychology Hacks to Improve Patient Satisfaction

November 10, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?