Online patient-helpers and physicians working together: a new partnership for high quality health care

摘要: Based on a presentation from the Millennium Festival of Medicine In January 1998 Karen Parles, 38 year old librarian at major New York art museum, learned that she had lung cancer. “My doctors told me it was incurable, I only few months to live,” recalls. “I'm lifelong non-smoker, so whole thing came as quite shock. pretty overwhelmed first. But soon could, went internet, looking for information. And asked all my friends help. “I found great support group cancer, Lung-Onc mailing list.1 The other patients list answered questions, suggested useful sites, and gave lot invaluable support. even so, hard time finding information needed. There stuff out there, but scattered across dozens different sites. no comprehensive site provided links best online this disease.” Through friend friend, heard surgical team Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital developing new treatment her type “I Boston see them impressed,” says. “But having removed by an unproved procedure still seemed frightening, shared fears with friends. right back eight or ten others who'd pneumonectomy. They assured could do encouraged give shot. twelfth patient undergo treatment. That nearly half ago, far, knock wood, I'm doing fine.” Like many who have used …