Society for Participatory Medicine
Journal of Participatory Medicine
Commentary
We welcome submissions for this section of JoPM. Commentary can be video, podcast or print essays and reviews of topics (e.g., innovation in peer review) and events (conferences, courses, lectures) relevant to the discussion of participatory medicine. If you are interested in submitting a commentary, you may do so here.
Commentary, Vol. 5, 2013
A Model for the Future of Health Care
Today’s patients have access to more medical information on their smartphones than late-twentieth-century Surgeons General had available to them from all their health information resources. Major change is afoot in health care. What will that change look like?
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 5, 2013
Shared Decision Making: Using Federal Health Policy as a Lever to Support Implementation
Many clinicians and patients may agree that shared decision making (SDM) will control health care costs and improve efficiency, but we need a clear and coordinated national strategy to support implementation of SDM if it is to deliver on its promises.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 5, 2013
It’s Time to Account for Medical Error in “Top Ten Causes of Death” Charts
Including fatal medical error in “top ten causes of death” charts and in public end-of-life discussions would be an act of participatory medicine on several counts: for medicine, ownership, transparency, and disclosure; which would offer citizens the opportunity to factor in medical error as we strive toward the goal of a peaceful death.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 5, 2013
Relationships Will Never Be Obsolete in Medicine
I have always believed that the relationship between the patient and their clinician is a vital part of care. But I wonder if I have misunderstood what is going on.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 4, 2012
Collaboration, Communication and Connection: Fostering Patient Engagement in Health Care
Engaging patients is a collaborative process that begins with good communication.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 4, 2012
The Impact of Open Access and Social Media on Scientific Research
Traditionally, research papers undergo peer review before publication. Two trends, open access and social media, are changing the peer review process.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
The Rewards of Being a Participatory Health Care Provider
The author gives the provider’s perspective on the story of a woman who became an engaged advocate for her two disabled sisters, and touches on some of the principle tenets of participatory medicine that guided their work together.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
Medication Adherence: More than Reminders
Focusing on reminders alone ignores the many other factors that contribute to nonadherence, improper use, and potentially harmful results. Better patient-provider communication is crucial to solving these problems.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
A Skydiver Jumps, and an Online Community Exults
A cancer patient shares a joyful story with her online support group and is surprised to learn how much it means to her fellow members.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
My 8-Point Participatory Philosophy: What Makes Me a Participatory Patient
The author reflects on the eight attributes that make up her personal definition of a participatory patient.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
Sharks, Bees, and Health Privacy Paranoia
The issue that the e-patient community should be focusing on, in regard to health information exchange, is accuracy. Inaccurate health data hurts people far more frequently and significantly than privacy violations.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
Who Gets to Define Quality?
After three years of looking at US health care, trying to figure out why it refuses to improve, I have a humble but impatient suggestion: When we talk about quality, we should only include measures that patients agree define quality.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
Health Care: A Human Rights and Economic Justice Issue
It ultimately falls to us, the patients, to frame health care as a human right and matter of economic justice, alongside national security, public education, and disaster relief.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
A Participatory Medicine Journey
It can be hard to be a vigilant participatory patient. It can be fraught with emotions and fear of repercussion. But it’s harder to be in the dark.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 3, 2011
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
I have worked for more than 30 years as an Urgent Care/Emergency physician, and found that an unstable ER cardiac patient is looking for a different interaction than a patient with chronic issues or health concerns working with a primary care provider.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 2, 2010
What “Participatory” Means to Me
Reflecting on my own experiences, I wonder if my modus operandi would be considered truly participatory.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 2, 2010
The Term “Patient” May Describe Me … But It Does Not Define Me
Although some individuals prefer to describe themselves as e-patients, em-patients, consumers, clients, etc., the historic term “patient” is, in fact, a sufficient and effective descriptor of “a person seeking or needing the services of a health care professional.”
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 2, 2010
Evidence that Engagement Does Make a Difference
To date, there has been little direct evidence to support the claim that our engagement affects health outcomes. So when a study comes along that specifically examines how people engage in a high-stakes, effective intervention and its impact on their health, it’s worth a close look.
Read MoreCommentary, Vol. 2, 2010
Who’s a Peer? Improving Peer Review by Including Additional Sources of Expertise
The credibility, authority, and relevance of prestigious journals are being questioned in the light of an apparent increase in publications marred by technical flaws or misconduct, despite having passed peer review. To strengthen the review process, JoPM proposes to allow health care users and other lay experts to participate in the shaping of new knowledge by providing feedback on the quality of the evidence.
Read MoreCommentary, Featured Podcast, Podcasts, Vol. 2, 2010
Participatory Evidence: Opportunities and Threats
In our new world of instant information exchange and empowered patients, how are clinicians and empowered patients challenging traditional ways to collect, evaluate, and publish evidence?
Read More
Hacking Health: Designing for and Understanding My Health
Participatory Medicine: Opportunities and Threats
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