Here’s a simple, but very clever conceptual use of social networking.

If you had a long-term illness which made it difficult to get online, but you wanted an easy way to keep all your friends, family and healthcare providers updated on your wellbeing, what would you do? What about updating your social networks with the turn of a radio dial?

I like this. It’s called Buddy. This Dieter Rams inspired social media radio has been designed by UK-based social innovation company Sidekick Studios. It’s described on their website as a post-digital social care service which uses social networks to extend the  community of carers around an individual beyond healthcare professionals, to friends, families and peers. ” Buddy Software uses the data collected to co-ordinate the community response, increase staff productivity, and to deliver the ultimate goal, self-management”

From their development blog,

“Buddy starts with a simple, human question, ‘How are you feeling today?’ It’s the kind of question your GP might ask, and better still, your friend. In itself, it’s not a medical prognosis. And that’s precisely the point.”

They aim to see patients treated as people. It takes the whole notion of ambient intimacy to another level and raises an interesting question. Do you think the convergence of social networking and  healthcare will change the way patients and carers are provided with diagnosis and treatment? What are the implications of concepts like Buddy?