Evolution Of A Consumer Segment: Patient 2.0 Using Web 2.0 Tools In Healthcare

Abstract

As Internet gets more interactive in its applications, the Internet users have been adapting to this change. While initial users of the Internet have been content with a passive approach of simply surfing the static websites, the current users are more interested in interacting with the website providers in such ways that those websites end up by being completely dynamic. As we move from a general population of Internet users to a smaller group of patients who are online health information seekers, we see a similar transition. Patients who had been using the Internet to access medical information in the past were mostly concerned with being able to find creditable websites to use to learn about their symptoms, cures, medications, etc. Patients who are currently online are concerned with finding websites not only credible to use to learn about their conditions but also interactive enough for them to share their stories with others. By interacting with others, they get more involved, learn, help others to learn, and eventually become a crucial part of the entire process. This paper reviews the term “Patient 2.0” that points to the type of patient who is more empowered, active, IT literate, and informed.