This is a repost of my article on the Ashoka Changemaker’s Social Media Blog regarding their new competition.
With the advancement of an increasing set of social tools, better ways to stay connected and the growing spotlight on better health care options – a movement is getting into full swing to empower patients and individuals to live better, healthier lives. You’ve heard of power to the people, well things are moving to give power to the patient.
- Accessing your medical records on your sleek new smartphone.
- Doctors chatting with you over an instant messenger platform to help with your questions on a sore throat.
- Organizations specifically concerned with the interaction of patients and physicians in the connected world.
Don’t wait for the Jetsons theme song to start playing. This is more real than you think and it’s actually happening right now. We’ve all heard that age old phrase “knowledge is power” – well that phrase comes into play now more than ever! It’s so important now that patients get equipped with the data and best practices that will help them the most – no more blanket diagnoses that may or may not be relevant. Even better, we are taking advantage of technologies to positively affect lives.
Some smart people are on top of this movement and with their leadership and effective collaborations, I have no doubt that beneficial changes will be seen in the health care world for all of us. The way I see it patient empowerment has a lot in common with the public health world – specifically with health communications where the goal is to equip the public with the information they need to make better choices for their health. Check out this great video from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation giving an overview of the patient empowerment initiative:
One of the great collaborations that I’m excited to see getting kicked off is a new competition with the folks from Ashoka Changemakers and the Amgen Foundation. The initiative kicks off today and invites those movers, shakers and thinkers who are interested in tackling health issues around the globe and elevating the voices of patients. The Patients | Choices | Empowerment competition is seeking solutions that tap the medical experience, knowledge, and wisdom of current and past patients, health care practitioners, advocates and other key stakeholders to ensure that patients have an active role in their personal healthcare. When it comes to our health, it only makes sense that the ideal solutions are those that empower the patient and provide ways for them to make informed decisions.
Onto the good stuff:
The three winners of this competition – the finalist individuals or organizations that receive the most votes online – will each receive a cash prize of USD $10,000. Early entries, received by 5PM EDT on August 25th, will be considered eligible to win one early entry prize of USD $1,000, and will remain eligible to win the competition. Following the competition, selected entries may be invited to submit proposals to the Amgen Foundation for future funding consideration. The Amgen Foundation will consider awarding up to USD $1 million in grants to support promising innovations in patient empowerment submitted by qualifying nonprofit organizations.
I’m really looking forward to looking at the competition entries – I love new ideas and innovation. What better use for those ideas than to make the world a healthier place?
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