What’s So Special About Medicine X?

 

I may still be reeling from jetlag after returning from my year’s sabbatical in Australia, but I am already gearing up for more disruption to my circadian rhythm as I prepare for a trip Stateside to the prestigious Stanford Medicine X conference.

Stanford Medicine X is a catalyst for new ideas, designed to explore social media and information technology’s power to advance medical practices, improve health, and empower patients to participate in their own care.

Each time I read this description of Medicine X I feel a thrill of excitement to realize that in September I will be part of this incredible gathering. When I applied last year for a scholarship to attend, I hardly dared dream I would be successful – and it still feels like a dream to be going.  Right now I am busily preparing my Ignite speech on patient narrative which is scheduled to take place on Saturday 6 September.  I am equal parts nervous and excited at the prospect of  standing on the Medicine X stage – a state I often find myself in before giving a talk, but this time the feelings are heightened.

Medicine X: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Medicine X is more than just a conference. It  is about the exchange of stimulating ideas, the spark of creativity and the illumination of inspiration.  Above all it is about the delightful gathering of  friends made online and the creation of new friendships.

The Medicine X conference  is a gift to ePatients – those of us who use the internet to advocate for our health – as it puts us firmly at the center of things.

Patients are on an equal footing with all other participants, and that’s fundamental for fostering true partnership toward change ~ Hugo Campos @HugoOC 

 

And it is a gift that keeps on giving. Most,  if not all, conferences follow the same format – register, attend in person, make attempts to network, collect business cards, conference concludes and that’s it until next year. Medicine X is different. It actively encourages attendees to get to know each other before the event and to continue the collaboration through weekly Google Hangouts which also act as a stimulus to discussion (click here for video archive ).

And there’s more….

If you cannot attend the conference in person your contribution is still valued by Medicine X.   As part of its inclusive mission, the organizers have created a Global Access Program designed to encourage ePatients, academic scholars and students to participate in the conference through a high-quality streaming webcast. And the best part? It’s free!  Simply create an account on the Stanford Medicine X online community and register for the 2014 Global Access Program. Then on the day of the conference, log on for access to the livestream.

Check out the preliminary schedule to reveal a feast of sessions you can participate in; my anticipation meter goes up each time  I read through it!

I do hope that many of you reading this will join me for Medicine X this year; whatever our health challenge, our efforts are more effective when we stand together. As an ePatient, I am guided by Margaret Mead’s words “”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” I believe that ePatients can, and are, changing the world of healthcare and that there is strength in our numbers.

Bring your voice to Medicine X this year.

Register online today