We bloggers and social network afficionados have been calling for the medical establishment to wake up and smell the Java, and recognize that we patients have a new place to congregate and a new communal voice on the web. Why don’t they recognize us and engage with us, we ask?
Well now I know that at least one big Pharma company producing glucose meters and pumps is listening. Not only listening, but they’d like to start building a closer relationship with our online community. As a first step, they’ve decided to host a Social Media Summit and invite some of the most vocal diabetes advocates on the web to meet in person for a brainstorming session.
I was approached by Roche Diabetes Care a few months ago to help them in this effort. What we’ve decided to do is organize a one-day event on-site at the Roche headquarters in Indianapolis, IN, in late July. About 25 people will be receiving invitations soon via email. Some of the objectives of the day will be to:
- Help bloggers/online advocates craft a manifesto for working together in the interest of the patient community at large.
- Facilitate an open discussion about Pharma’s engagement in diabetes social media; what are the Do’s and Dont’s?
And yes, we’ll talk about inherent conflicts. It should be quite an interesting day!
So this post is a combination of disclosure (I’m doing some consulting work for Roche) and a news announcement that diabetes Pharma companies are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to jump in to the “messy world” of patient communication online. I’m excited to be part of this early wave, which will certainly help set the tone for the future.
**** UPDATE ****
The folks at Roche have asked me to clarify that we’ve timed this event so you can attend on July 22-23, and still make it to the BlogHer conference the next day on time. The venues are only 165 mi. apart and transportation arrangements can be made.
It’s about time!
So many patients learn from other patients questions & examples, and follow their lead towards good health and diabetes ownership.
I’m glad to hear that Roche Diabetes is not only “rolling up their sleeves” but opening up their ears and minds and embracing what diabetics have to say!
Kelly K
Congratulations Amy!
I think this will be a great opportunity for them to connect and learn from “real” diabetics instead of case studies all the time. Looking forward to reading more about it.
Andrea B.
Fantastic! I’d love to be apart of this, but I’m not a blogger. Anyway to connect and possibly be a part of this landmark educational and important effort?
Way to go Amy! keep up the good work.
Ack! Conflicts with BlogHer, otherwise I’d go for sure.
I second Rachel’s comment. The idea is AWESOME. Scheduling to conflict with BlogHer was poor planning to say the least.
Definitely a cool idea. Glad a company is out there connecting with people.
I’m honored to have been invited! Thanks Amy!
I think this will be a fun time – I’m looking forward to it!
The fact that it conflicts with BlogHer could pull many of the invitees out of it though…
Hi Amy,
How can I get invited?
Thanks
D2
Hi All,
See the above update about BlogHer – no conflict there. You should be able to attend both.
@d2 – Thanks for your interest. We really don’t want anyone to feel left out, but there is a limited number of spots for this initial event. Roche assures me that if things go well, they’ll start a waiting list for the next round.
[...] heats things up with a trip to Boston for the 2nd annual New England Diabetes Meet-up and the Roche Diabetes Summit in Indianapolis. Erik and I are also planning a Fourth of July weekend trip somewhere, most likely [...]