Medpedia: a 2.0 platform for health

Wisdom of the Many – Medpedia is an iterative environment where content is written, edited and constantly re-edited by an ever-larger group of Editors. Hundreds of Editors can read the Articles and monitor changes using the Recent Changes pages. The model, therefore, is that incorrect information will be corrected quickly, and the overall accuracy of Medpedia will always be improving.

Collaborative – Medpedia gives consumers, medical professionals, and organizations/companies their own ways to contribute. Each has a role in the real world and each can be effective in contributing to Medpedia. The tools and permissions for those contributions will evolve over time as the system matures.

Interdisciplinary – Medpedia is able to tap knowledge from all medical and health professionals, starting with physicians and Ph.D. researchers, but safely including anyone with expertise and motivation, including nurses, public health officials, social workers, etc.

Appropriate language – Medpedia provides a structured environment encouraging two types of content to emerge: "Plain English" pages for the lay-person, and "Clinical" pages for medical professionals.

Transparent – All members must have a profile with their real names and must disclose any financial, personal or professional affiliations that may influence their participation on Medpedia. Every change made to the site is attached to a member’s profile and every change is visible in the logs of the knowledge base.

Self Service – Medpedia is a platform of free tools anyone can use. Medical professionals can use Medpedia as a knowledge sharing and communications tool, a recruiting tool for research collaborators, a clinical referral network, an article publishing network, and a way to develop their reputation in their areas of expertise. Organizations can use Medpedia as a communications tool for their members and to fulfill their mission. And anyone may use Medpedia set alerts to follow topics of interest, to learn and collect knowledge, to teach and share information and to elevate the best medical information on the web.

Free, Web-Based, Real Time – Due to the nature of the Web, improvements made on the website are immediately available worldwide for zero incremental cost.

Medpedia is just beginning. I came across a number of blank pages in my explorations. 

Nevertheless, we need Medpedia and I hope that the project will grow and thrive, with, of course, the traditional disclaimer:

The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified healthcare provider.