Module 5 Blog

Quite frankly, I had a hard time thinking that a patient would want to create a blog being as that so many patients feel that their own personal health information should remain private and confidential. Although, after reading a couple other classmates postings, I realized there may be other reasons patients desire to create a blog. Also, since advances in technology are changing the relationship between doctors and patients (Rehm, 2008), I decided I needed to have an open mind in regards to my relationship with my patients in the future.
Thus, I think a patient might want to create a blog in order to "vent" their frustrations in regards to a certain illness or disease process they are experiencing. As already suggested by some of my classmates, they also may also like to keep family members and friends up to date on their most recent status of their health condition, rather than have to answer lots of phone calls. By receiving feedback from others, patients may feel they are not alone in the process. They also may receive suggestions on other treatment options available to them that someone they know has tried and liked for the specific disease.

I think the main reason why a health care provider (HCP) might create a blog would be to share general health information on a list of diseases/disease processes related to his/her area of expertise for his/her patients. In order to refrain from patient confidentiality issues, an HCP should not discuss specific problems to a certain condition an individual patient may have. This would be more appropriate with person e-mail communication.

Ethical considerations to keep in mind when blogging on a public website would be to never use a patient's real/full name. Never discuss specifics with a patient over a blog, keep things on a general level. I also think you need to have a good understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's laws regarding patient confidentiality before blogging.

Rehm, D. (Producer). (2008, December 2). Ehealth on the Diane Rehm show [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2008-12-02