Doc (Not) in a Box

10/29/08  Print This Post Print This Post    1 Comment   Popular   Written by Julie Schwietert
  • Stumble It
  • Share

Here in the US, we complain a lot about our healthcare system.

Our eyes grow big at the seemingly mythical tales told by the likes of Michael Moore in “Sicko”:

All new mothers in France receive drop-in household assistance?!

Doctors perform emergency house calls?! Heck, I’d be happy with some health insurance!

By comparison, our system seems hopelessly antiquated.

But around the US, both patients and providers are getting fed up and have started thinking outside the box.

A recent article in GOOD magazine highlighted the work of Jay Parkinson, a 32 year old Brooklyn-based doctor who’s determined to make health care more accessible and more affordable by going high-tech.

Parkinson started Hello Health, a collective of doctors who operate independently of insurance companies, charging members a $35 monthly membership fee to begin accessing services.

Think of it as the 21st century doctor’s home visit: a regular consult, boosted with modern day tools like IM and e-mail consultations. Hello Health’s website has a social networking feel, and Dr. Parkinson is totally hip to YouTube. In face, here’s one of his videos:

What do you think about “Medicine 2.0″? Is the Hello Health model a viable alternative to the care you’re receiving now? Share your feedback in the comments.

Photo: Pocketdora (Flickr creative commons)


  • Stumble It
  • Share

About the Author

Matador ID: collazo

Julie Schwietert is the managing editor of Matador Network. She contributed a chapter to the recently published book, The Voluntary Traveler, and is currently working on five features for Fodor's Puerto Rico, 6th Edition.

1 Comment... join the discussion!

  • C. Russo replied on April 5, 2010

    Wow, who would’ve thought? Wish I would’ve came up with something like this! I think it’s a wonderful idea and if effective, a great new way to do medicine! Looking forward to seeing how this continues to develop. I might just have to give this Hell Health a try.

    (Report comment)

    ↵ Reply

Leave a Comment

Get Matador in your inbox and around the web.

Sign up for our FREE weekly newsletter.


View full list of RSS feeds

Jump To Category:


Travel Insurance.




Popular Stories on Matador

Technology and the Art of Location Independence

Matador catches up with professional travel writer/phot... 

Why is it so Difficult to Talk About Death?

When it's your time to go, it's your time to go. ... 

MatadorU announces new features

Active, direct feedback and a broader market leads syst... 

Grow Some Moss in Your Bathroom

A soft grass carpet that thrives from the few drops of ... 

Notes from a Medical Volunteer in Haiti

A journal of a medical volunteer in Haiti, "just trying... 

MatadorTV vlog 8

Live from the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.... 

Call for Submissions: So, What Did You Do Today?

Send photos of your daily life for us to post on Matado... 

The Best Condiments in the World Right Now

Tzakiki combines puréed cucumber and strained yoghurt ... 

Notes on Backcountry Visa Renewal

Km 14. 7 - "Began limping due to increasing pain in lef... 

Does Travel Abroad = Less Conspicuous Consumption At Home?

Exploring the potential of travel to alter the way we t... 



Focus



Editor Blogs