Internet Support Groups for Health: Ready for the Affordable Care Act

Excerpt

Millions of Americans have gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, it is presently unclear whether adequate numbers of primary care, behavioral health, and other medical specialists will be available to provide these and millions of other insured Americans with timely and convenient access to care. Approximately half of all U.S. adults have at least one chronic medical illness whose treatment requires long-term adjustments in lifestyle and medical monitoring. Yet physicians typically monitor their patients’ conditions via in-person encounters of limited frequency and duration. Attending such visits is difficult for those who are unable to take time off from work, live in rural locations, or have transportation issues. These challenges, coupled with the widespread adoption of online social media, present an opportunity for accountable care organizations (ACOs) to promote the delivery of patient-centered chronic illness care through deployment of moderated Internet support groups (ISGs) that allow member-patients 24/7 access to personalized education, treatment advice, and peer support. …