Humans value communication over almost everything else. The psychological need for interaction with others is healthy and very easily accessed via Facebook. The web site has forever changed the way people can be addicted to the Internet and the way content can be shared. Not only can new friendships be made from the people that you can meet online, but friendships can become stronger with the multitude of ways that communication can be had between the ‘friends’ on Facebook.
The implementations reach much farther than a consumer level website for social communication. For example, family physician Ted Eytan says,
“Although health care may be one of America’s leading industries in terms of size and scope, it’s been among the slowest to embrace advances in communications and information technology (IT). But along with EHRs and other IT systems, so-called social media tools are becoming a presence in health care at last—and transforming it in the process”[3].
He promotes being ‘friends’ with patient’s doctors and physicians for quick communication for questions or emergencies. General practitioners can post blogs and compare care options for patients online and quickly. Health care author Carleen Hawn states that even in beleaguered economic times, investors are taking notice. And according to DowJones Venture One, which tracks venture capital investments in technology startups, nearly $900 million was invested in software and technology services focused on health care in 2007, the latest year for which data are available [3]. It is obvious that hospitals and doctors foresee the promise in not only Facebook, but also various online social mediums to benefit their practice and create a convenience for patients to get their care when they need it most.
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