Christina's Considerations

Empowering Advocates: #ChronicTogether

I was recently asked how did I learn to advocate for myself as a patient. This made me reflect on my career in health administration, where I recognized the importance of patients advocating for themselves early in my journey. In... Read more →

Adult Protective Services - for abuse, neglect & exploitation

My online support groups have given me tremendous new insight into healthcare social media. More specifically, about how patients and family caregivers use these tools to get advice on their challenges, threats and needs. These online networks have revealed opportunities... Read more →

Book Review: Choosing Joy with Alzheimer's

"Joy and woe are woven fine." - William Blake There is a wonderful book for caregivers that offers expert advice ... from a caregiver. It is focused on her experience caring for someone with Alzheimer's, however, the experiences and advice... Read more →

A Call to Healthcare Professionals: Contrary to what you’ve been taught, use social media

Way back in 2005, I began blogging. After a couple of years, I got tired of explaining to my hospital administration and physician friends "what's a blog?" and "why would I want to Twitter?" Since all of the young people... Read more →

Woodworking as Art Therapy for PTSD

Guest Post: Robert Johnson is a woodworking enthusiast whose passion for power tools is expressed through writing. He is the founder, owner, and main author of Sawinery.net, a blog site dedicated to his personal reviews of different types and specific... Read more →

Why is no one using our patient portal?

A while back I wrote an article on why patient portals aren't being used. It was written while I was in a fatigued frenzy as a patient trying to find a diagnosis. Since then, I continue to experience the healthcare... Read more →

Mental Health Informatics

The current issue of the Annals of Family Medicine includes two articles that deal with mental health and information technology. There are many assumptions about mental health in the age of digital health, so perhaps the findings of this research... Read more →

Another ZDoggMD... Through the Haze of Medical Marijuana

ZDoggMD, AKA Dr. Damania, is one of the coolest of the cool docs around. It does make me happy to see him weighing in on the topic of medical marijuana. Let him guide you through the haze and watch! I... Read more →

Advocacy and Activation

A couple of things happened in the last two days that made me think it is time for me to again mention patient advocacy; including self-advocacy. First, the monthly meeting of Chronic Disease Coalition Ambassadors occurred and the importance of... Read more →

Educational Video on CBD

I've been struggling with where to find trusted information on cannabis and CBD; all while knowing video is more engaging. I've now found Green Flower and their free videos on a variety of related topics. My first one to watch... Read more →

Sober Grid: Addiction Recovery with the Aid of an App

As a child, I attended AA and Alanon meetings with my grandparents whenever I was visiting over the summer. It was what we did, especially since my "born again" recovering alcoholic grandfather took pride in helping those new on the... Read more →

Future of Mobile Apps: Location Services

Years ago, as I prepared to write a book on use of social media in healthcare, I signed on and really liked FourSquare. They split the app a couple of years later and it lost value for me. But, I... Read more →

Healthcare Social Media - Its Impact on Patients

Since 2005, I've blogged as a healthcare administrator and along the way met some great blogger friends. John Lynn of Healthcare Scene was one of the very first; because we shared an interest in healthcare social media, or #hcsm, and... Read more →

Insurance and avoiding delays in care each new year!

Being an activated and engaged patient means you are constantly learning and becoming a better self advocate. Just when things are sailing along smoothly, BOOM! My new learning has to do with insurance coverage and the start of each new... Read more →

Nothing is just a tweet! #MeToo

In the heat of the moment and emotion, we can all say something ugly. We are human. However, what we say, or tweet, does provide a glimpse into our innermost thoughts and the true self. Lashing out when someone doesn't... Read more →

10 Ways Social Tools Improve the Patient Experience

My blog has taken a new shift to focus in on the patient experience from the patient's perspective. Since I wrote an article on this for health professionals a couple of years ago, I thought this would be a great... Read more →

Wireless: The Future of Medicine

I'm preparing for my next Health Informatics course and added a new video highlighting the use of sensors and wireless devices for both consumer and clinician users. I had not shared this on my blog previously, but it is worthy... Read more →

Telemedicine: Some Kids Might Not Be Too Eager

The Aw Phooey! episode of the Jetsons demonstrates how virtual visits or telehealth technologies might interfere with attempts to play hookie from school. Parents, on the other hand, would find value in not having to interrupt their day for a... Read more →

Compassion and Empathy in Healthcare

Another great video on compassion and empathy in healthcare from Cleveland Clinic; with a bit of a surprise at the end. Read more →

#MySantaBarbara and #socialbiz

The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business expo today and they plan to shine a light on social media. I've been active on social sites since 2005 and sharing what I've learned with others in books, articles... Read more →

Design vs User Experience

I almost freaked out thinking I had lost a graphic that I use in my work with health informatics, as well as, performance and process improvement. Just to make sure I don't electronically mis-place it again, I'm adding it to... Read more →

John Stossel: You can't email your doctor!

John Stossel was recently treated for cancer and he had a couple of observations about health IT and men needing to listen to their leading lady when they say "it is time to see a doctor." Last year I thought... Read more →

Online Masters in Public Health

Back when I was working on my masters at a school of public health, I had to fight to be able to take my courses on a part time basis instead of full time like everyone else. Why? If I... Read more →

Social Media for the Physician Practice

Scripps Mercy Physician Partners invited me to present a webinar program to their members back in October on using social media in the physician practice. It was a great event that even lead one of the physicians in the audience... Read more →

Connected Medical Devices: Overcoming the Challenges