Patient Engagement and Empowerment

Abstract

Years ago, my professor told me that, as a practicing physician, I would occasionally see chronic disease patients for a few minutes and think that what I did during their visit would make all the difference. In fact, he said, it was what those patients did between the visits that would make that difference. Patients at home have historically been largely disconnected from what we think of as the healthcare system. Today, we have an increasingly rich set of technologies and tools to empower patients to be more involved in maintaining their wellness, preventing disease and managing disease more effectively, should they develop it. These tools can also connect patients to their providers, to interested family members and friends and to others with similar conditions or health issues.