Cooperative buying power drives down costs for consumers like Ernsberger, says Juhn. Family members who are geographically close to those needing assistance often carry a disproportionate amount of responsibilities, he says, while those farther away contribute less. If you can't be there to actually help Mom, maybe you can buy her a hospital bed. A reverse auction arranged through the portal would ensure delivery of what a patient needs, when they need it, he says. Online discussions among those with similar conditions should not only reduce patient anxiety but also elevate and streamline patient-provider dialogue, Mihale says.
Rudimentary questions impinge on already-brief office visits.
Having those basic questions answered beforehand results in a better quality experience for both the patient and the doctor. Ernsberger says chats hosted by Carepanion may meet psychological needs of the homebound and their caregivers. Unfortunately, this is going to be a growth industry because of demographics. The information provided on the Carepanion Web site is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat a medical condition. It is meant to complement the advice of your physician, not replace it.