“Your Health in the Information Age” – how you and your doctor can use the internet

Nov. 28, 2008 - PRLog -- Erica is the mom of a 10 year old boy with ADHD. She and his teacher monitor his symptoms daily via a website, and she sends reports to me by email so that I can adjust his medication between consultations.

Ron is a successful overweight businessman who eats and drinks too much, and who has developed diabetes and heart problems. He is finally changing his lifestyle, having researched his health on the internet, and been confronted with his need to change.

Top Tips for Patients

1.   The practice of healthcare is about patients and doctors sharing information - both face to face, and online, with the internet as the third partner in the relationship – so talk to your doctor about how internet capable they are, and encourage them to communicate online.
2.   To take advantage of the internet to improve your health - make sure you are computer literate. If you are not, then improve your skills so you can take advantage of the internet. Find out where the courses are.
3.   10 million Americans search for health information on the Internet for themselves or for loved ones every single day yet health information on the internet is notoriously unreliable. This book will teach you how to search more effectively and efficiently, and will let you find high quality information that is relevant to you.
4.   Are you one of the millions whose medical records are now kept electronically by their doctor? Talk to your doctor to see if you can share access to these records, and learn how you would understand them.
5.   Do you want to be able to email your doctor, but don't want to trouble them? Find out the best way of approaching your doctor on this subject, and learn about “netiquette”, (etiquette on the internet).
6.   Are you sure you are getting the best, and most up to date, treatment? Find out where to look for treatment guidelines.
7.   Are you considering taking part in a clinical trial? – find out how by searching national databases of available clinical trials
8.   Do you want to improve your relationship with your doctor? Go online, simplify your healthcare, ask about e-prescribing options
9.   How is your healthcare going to change in future? Find out about virtual reality and online doctors and clinics.
10.   Are you an internet addict? Or are you a “cyberchondriac”? Test yourself, and look for solutions if you or someone you know needs them.

The book is for you if you want to improve your relationship with your doctor, and want to use the power of knowledge gained from your doctor and the Internet, to improve your health.  

About the author
Peter Yellowlees MD is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Health Informatics Program at the University of California Davis. He is deputy editor of the Medscape Journal of medicine (www.medscape.com) and has lived in England, Australia and the USA. He is an internationally recognized expert in health on the Internet and his current projects involve virtual reality using Second Life (www.secondlife.com), telemedicine, email and video consulting and bioterrorism responses. He has written over 150 scientific articles and four books, has lectured in more than 20 countries, and has undertaken many media interviews. He lives with his wife Barb, in Sacramento, California.
For Immediate Release      Peter Yellowlees MD
            Ph 916-833-1874
            pmyellowlees@ucdavis.edu
            www.informationagehealth.com