Social network for patients rises

An interesting social networking service has launched.

e27: e-Health portal CompareClinic launches, takes the fight to DocDoc and DoctorPage

CompareClinic is a new online community composed of patients and clinics. Users of medical care can access information about clinics and medical advises in this site. Doctors also can register the name and spec of their clinics. They have to pay for additional information for advertisement. Over 1000 clinics are listed now, according to Ms. Virginia Chan, cofounder of this site. Now half of them are in Singapore.

Medical information is very asymmetric. Patients are not familiar with the disease they are suffering. On the other hand, a doctor is a specialist of a particular disease. A patient has no choice but accept the advice from his doctor in charge. Development of internet has eased patients to access medical information. Nonetheless, it is difficult for patients to choose the best doctor for them without any help of another neutral doctor, so called second opinion.

There were some services similar to CompareClinic. In the old days, some associations composed of patients had a role to protect the right of patients. But they are often inclined to be the side of victims of failed treatment. Some anonymous BBS are also available to gather the reputation of particular clinics, though their quality of information is relatively low.

I think this new service is innovative as connecting the needs of patients to get precise information to advertise of clinics. Doctors have to write useful information to get a good reputation. They get an opportunity to learn how to gather patients. Unkind clinics cannot survive. Patients can find information about other patients who visit the clinic. For patients with similar disease, talking each other about past therapy can help their decision in the future.

However, some disadvantages are inevitable in it. Perhaps some patients could spread bad rumors about a particular clinic. When it was far from the fact, it is unclear who is responsible for fallen reputation of the clinic. Moreover, medical care is not the same as a business. It is not certain that a clinic with high satisfaction of the patients offers appropriate treatment. Good medical advices sometimes sound bitter.

I am afraid that CompareClinic will not work where market mechanism is not functioning. In Japan, the government controls the number of doctors completely. Costs of medical service are strictly defined by national health insurance. Doctors cannot discount the fee for service, either raise up for better performance. There are few choices of clinics in rural area in Japan. I think it takes much more time for CompareClinic to be launched in Japan.