Wall Street Journal coverage

A great article appeared in the Wall Street Journal today entitled "When Disease Can't be Diagnosed". It further points out the challenge associated with complex diagnosis and the need to improve diagnostic processes and tools. This is great mainstream validation of what we have been talking about, punctuated by the fact that the author clearly read this blog in her research. It's great to get some recognition, even if it isn't cited : )

Healthcare pushing online

A recent article in the New York Times highlights the emerging practice of online consultations in cosmetic surgery. While many patients and physicians find this to be a useful way to efficiently find the right provider and discuss treatment options, others object that such "diagnosis" can't be made online via videoconferencing. These activities are likely to challenge laws about the interstate practice of medicine, benefiting all of those who seek to develop new, innovative health tools online. While we must always keep patient safety in mind, the market is reminding us that there are many health applications for which virtual meetings can substitute for face to face interactions. As technology and attitudes evolve, so must the laws that govern them.