"The main difference is the level of interaction, that's the key" said Dr. John Vaughn, a physician at the Wilce Student Health Center and the senior manager of E-health initiatives for Student Health Services.
The new Web site includes webcasts, podcasts, videos and blogs, such as the BuckMD blog. BuckMD is a program that allows students to interact directly with physicians and experts.
"BuckMD is a character that we created to allow students to ask questions," Vaughn said. "Students can submit their questions online and anyone at the Student Health Services can answer them."
This addition to the Web site will be very helpful for students for many reasons, Vaughn said.
"Many Ohio State students never come into the Wilce Center," he said. "By providing more information online, we can help them out. Some students don't have time and some don't want to come in."
Some students who have mental or sexual health issues often refuse to see a doctor because they are too embarrassed, Vaughn said.
"People suffering from anxiety or depression won't always come in," he said. "With BuckMD, those students can get the help they need. We are offering students a certain level of support. You can post questions and they will always be anonymous, no one will ever be able to tell who asks the questions."
There are more changes planned for the Web site in the future.
"Our Web site will continue to evolve throughout the remainder of 2009, with many exciting additions," said Tina Comston of Healthcare Applications Support, in a press release.
The ability to request prescription refills online will be available in June. Students will also be able to schedule appointments online, print immunization records and complete questionnaires, Comston said. Secure messaging will also be introduced.
"With secure messaging, we would actually be able to e-mail test results." Vaughn said. "You would also be able to log in and get those results."
Vaughn said he hopes that the Web site will teach students to take ownership of their health.
"Our new Web site provides us with some exciting new tools to achieve that goal," he said.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Megan Savage
Quelle/Source: The Lantern, 30.03.2009
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