A recent study in the U.K. showed social media websites similar to Facebook, but focused on healthcare, can have positive benefits for patients. Sites such as patientslikeme.com can provide support and interaction with other patients who have similar conditions. Patients can share diet, physician, and other information a patient may not find on their own. Within the boundaries of patient privacy, such sites can collect and analyze rich data whitch could lead to new health innovations.

The study is not surprising. In my book, Health Attitude, I wrote people who track their health are healthier. The study extends the concept to people who engage in dialog with other similarly situated patients will find more treatments and have better health.