Supporting Safer Healthcare

I’ve been blogging about healthcare since 2004.  I believe that blogs (and bloggers) age in dog years, so I figure that makes this blog about 30 years old, a veritable “grown up” in the world of blogs.

As with all technology-based endeavors, there has been monumental change in the blogosphere since 2004.  

What I like better now  

• There are many more healthcare blogs providing high-quality information
• Blogs are far better looking, some of the 2004-2005 models were pretty homely
• Blogging software has improved, giving writers more creative options
• Bloggers garner more respect and are more often seen as “real” writers
• High-quality bloggers can make a little money from their writing, for example, KevinMD and Clinical Cases and Images.

What I liked better in the early days 

• We were less fearful about what we wrote.  It was before the age of trouble for Flea and Barbados Butterfly
• Because there were fewer of us, we were a community; we cheered one another on, and supported one another through life’s trials.  Perhaps because I am an Aunt, I still remember the beautiful post Dr. Charles wrote after the birth of his nephew (I sent the link on to my nephew).  And Aggravated Doc Surg’s rantings against a major US hospital accreditor; I had to jump in on that discussion.  Bard-Parker gave us graphic lessons on things surgeons see that we hope we never will.
• Grand Rounds was a community block party, and nearly everyone showed up to socialize.  Health Wonk Review, Cavalcade of Risk and Change of Shift were all spin-offs of Nick Gene’s original series.

Time passes, perspectives change, but now and then it’s good to go back to the old neighborhood, visit with old friends, and reminisce.