RE: [projectvrm] Heath VRM fodder

["Christopher Herot" < >]

Yes, but if you read all those things you wouldn’t take any drugs.

 

Remember Stephen Colbert’s warnings about Vaxadrin from Prescott Pharmaceuticals?

 

Side effects: Dry mouth, severe weight loss, restless leg syndrome, restless arm syndrome, restless torso syndrome

 

Other side effects may include: Phantom Hand Syndrome, vivid dreams of self-cannibalization, spontaneous pregnancy, increased risk of vampire attack, migrating genitals and braintooth. In the words of Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A.: "Don't worry about it...". However, you should not attempt to use heavy machinery under the influence of Vaxadrin. You should also not attempt to use light machinery under the influence of Vaxadrin (although you'll be lucky if you still remember how to use a door after taking this stuff). Vaxadrin may cause mild heart explosions. Use only as you see fit.

 

 

 

From: Mary Hodder [mailto: ]
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2013 2:41 PM
To: Christopher Herot
Cc: 'ProjectVRM list'
Subject: Re: [projectvrm] Heath VRM fodder

 

Interesting.. so they would be used on say, the side of a bottle of medication to warn someone about side effects?

 

That's very odd as well.  Back to the drawing board on the icons, I would say.  Those icons, if i saw them as something to warn me, would cause me to not want to use the drug or therapy at all, because they seem so definite in their statement of what "might" happen.  They make it look like it will definitely happen.

 

Somehow the verbal list of items in one of those mile long disclaimers for drugs is less disconcerting than seeing those icons.

 

 

On Jan 20, 2013, at 1:22 PM, Christopher Herot wrote:

 

I will admit to laughing out loud at some of the icons. The one for Suicidality is especially disconcerting. However, these are not icons for a diagnosis or symptoms – they are for warning about side effects to watch out for. If they get a few more patients to take notice that will be an improvement over the fine-print package inserts that come with prescription drugs.

 

In general, I applaud the attempt to provide compelling visualizations of the patient’s health information if it will get patients more involved in taking care of themselves.

 

 

From: Mary Hodder [ ">mailto: ] 
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2013 11:56 AM
To: ProjectVRM list
Subject: Re: [projectvrm] Heath VRM fodder

 

The icons at the end of the Atlantic article are hilarious, somewhat bizarrely inaccurate, 
and I find it strange that anything medical like a diagnosis or symptom would need an icon
because acting on an icon seems dangerous.. if misinterpreted.. 

but they are still hilarious... one of the most weird information visualization exercises I've ever seen.


On Jan 20, 2013, at 10:34 AM, Doc Searls wrote:

> The Future of Medical Records:
> 
> <http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/the-future-of-medical-records/267202/>
> 
> Links in the story:
> 
> <http://healthdesignchallenge.com>
> 
> <http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/10/would-you-want-to-see-everything-your-doctor-writes-about-you/263257/>
> 
> <http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/32/1/63.abstract>
> 
> <http://www.va.gov/BLUEBUTTON/docs/VA_My_HealtheVet_Blue_Button_Sample_Version_12_All_Data.txt>
> 
> <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/business/electronic-records-systems-have-not-reduced-health-costs-report-says.html>
> 
> Doc