I wrote about the potential impact that social networking can have on health care yesterday without asking myself a crucial question: Will I participate?
For some offerings, like managing personal health records and bills, absolutely not. That’s not information that I want on the internet, nor is it something I’m willing to share with a third party.
I was initially reluctant to try Revolution Health because I didn’t want to give them all the information that they require in the set up. So I used my junk e-mail address and made up a birthday. I’ll disclose these things to my bank, but that’s about it.
I’d like to think that I’d participate in the social parts, but it’s doubtful. I’m not much of a joiner, nor am I good at obligational interactions. It’s kind of like the forums that I used to participate in. I enjoyed the regular contact with other headache sufferers and got a lot of good information, but I lost the emotional need for it so I stopped posting. I continue to think about some of the participants, but I’m still not involved.
I already have a blog (obviously), so unless I used it to direct people here, the blogs on social networking sites aren’t necessary. The emotional needs I mentioned before are met by all the wonderful people who e-mail me after finding this blog.
So, there’s a potentially great tool that’s success depends on how much people contribute. I applaud this, yet doubt I’ll participate. Considering that I do and share a lot more online than many other people would be comfortable with, I doubt I’m not alone in my reluctance.
With this in mind MigrainePad may be the best option. Not only does it offer a comprehensive headache journal, but it now allows you to track weather in relation to your headaches.