For the Record invited to share my thoughts on what lay ahead in 2015 for health IT and focused on consumer engagement tools given my activites and interests over the last few years... as a healthcare professional, patient and family caregiver. An exerpt of my thoughts is below, but you may also want to read the entire article to see what others have to say.
"For many consumers, becoming an active participant in their own care takes getting used to. "It's not something that all of a sudden someone flips a switch and turns on a light from not wanting to be an active steward of one's own health information to being fully engaged," says Christina Thielst, a hospital administrator, health care consultant, and author. "For the World War II era, the Greatest Generation, they didn't need or want control over their health information because whatever the doctor said or suggested was fine by them. Baby boomers, on the other hand, question authority a bit more, and subsequent generations even more so.
"Particularly in the United States, we have a tendency to be all over the latest and greatest but that often means we set a New Year's resolution, pick an app to help us get there, and then when it's beach season, we wonder why we still can't fit into our bathing suits," she continues. "I hope that more consumers recognize their role on the health care team and the important voice they represent. If they see or hear something that doesn't seem right, I hope 2015 will be the year they speak up and actively engage with their providers."
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