Pioneering physician, author, and researcher Tom Ferguson, MD, ("doctom")  has been studying and writing about the empowered medical consumer since 1975 and about online health resources for consumers since 1987. In 1993 he organized the world's first conference devoted to computer systems designed to be used by medical consumers.

Marfa, TX January 2005

 

The ePatients Scholars Working Group: 2006

Thomas Jefferson taught, “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” We don't need to be ruled by monarchs or dictators. We can join together to govern ourselves. Tom Ferguson taught us that whenever the people are well-informed they can be trusted with their own health. We don't need doctors or health systems to rule our bodies. He envisioned health as an equal partnership between “e-Patients”, each other, and the professionals and systems that support them in their health. 

For the last few years Tom was developing a brand new concept. The first application of the concept was invented by Tom at UAMS. He called it the “Patient Initiated Quality Improvement Program”. Donations in honor of Tom should be made to the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy (at UAMS), earmarked for the "Patient Initiated Quality Improvement Program".  c/o Janet Aronson, 4301 West Markham #776, Little Rock, AR 72205.

The ePatients Scholars Working Group:: 2005

The ePatients Scholars Working Group: 2000