RE3EL STANCE

Dr. Jay Parkinson knows medicine. But, he also knows that medicine can be delivered in a better way. It seems the two common discussions I hear these days at parties are: 1) “Wow, I didn’t know that real estate could lose value like this”, and, 2) “My health insurance is expensive and/or my doctor doesn’t care.” Well, there is a lot to be said about the first common discussion but it’s far more interesting talking about the second one. And, now, after finding out about Dr. Parkinson, it is even more juicy. 

Yes, health insurance is expensive. Yes, I have had my fair share of bad doctors. I have been misdiagnosed numerous times, have gone through a few too many appointments without being looked at in the eye by the doctor even once, and have wasted countless hours reading Ladies Home Journal in old stale waiting room. So, I applaud any doctor that cares and is able to cut through the red (or should I say duct) tape holding it all together. But, Dr. Parkinson deserves infinite praise and attention for caring enough to care enough.

You see, Dr. Parkinson is using technology, innovation, love, and respect to deliver health care in a cheaper and more effective way. His premise is simple: 1) “I am Your Doctor”; 2) “I Know Good Doctors”; 3) “I Know Healthcare Prices”; 4) “I Prevent Illness.” It’s that simplicity that is intriguing. But, it’s the way he delivers that simplicity that is truly impressive and is a sign that Technology 2.0 isn’t a flash in the pan. Rather, Technology 2.0 enables smart and caring people to deliver better solutions in simple ways that better serve people.

Based in New York, Dr. Parkinson has used a simple system to deliver HEALTH…CARE. You sign up to be a patient. You complete your medical history. You make an appointment. He comes to you at that designated time. You get a check up. Any time you feel a tickle in your throat, he does an e-diagnosis using video chatting, IM, digital photos, etc…Based on those consultations, he sends you to a specialist or immediately prescribes you medication that he sends directly to a cost-effective pharmacist. All of it results in being more convenient, more efficient, and less time consuming (not to mention less money consuming).

Not convinced? Well, take an example:

• A patient that thinks she has a broken wrist contacts Doctor 2.0; Doctor asks some questions and makes an initial diagnosis that he agrees he thinks it’s broken
• The doctor calls a doctor near the patient and sets up an X-Ray that costs the patient $80. While the patient is heading to get the X-Ray, Doc calls around to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon within the next two hours.
• The Radiologist confirms the wrist is broken and emails the doctor the X-Ray (if it was just sprained, the Doctor would tell the patient what to do to take care of it and the patient is only out $80). The orthopedic surgeon’s office is nearby and the patient heads there to get get checked and get her wrist casted. The appointment costs $400
• An hour the patient is sitting at home with a casted wrist and has saved over $1500 from what it would have cost in the old traditional way of visiting the doctor

The point is, simple 2.0 technologies are enabling Doctoring 2.0 and the result is better care in a cheaper and more efficient way. But, take that point further. If a Doctor can use those technologies and a bit of innovation to innovate towards a better model doesn’t it stand to reason that those technologies can be used to fix a whole host of other broken systems. Don’t get me wrong; Dr. Parkinson has a long way to go before his efforts become a lasting solution but it is a step in the right direction.

So, why don’t we all stop worrying about whether Web 2.0 is going to boom or bust and instead talk about how we can use these current technologies to solve some big problems. We now have cheap technologies that can create real changes in real ways. Doesn’t that mean with a bit of inspiration and innovation, we should be able to use those technologies to increase access to education, improve food and water distribution in under-developed countries, or provide opportunities for under-served people around the block or around the planet? I think so.