Health care is a system undergoing rapid change in the US. Our country is facing increasing costs, less healthcare coverage, and decreasing quality in health care. We have increasing numbers of elders needing assistance, and individuals struggling to provide this care without adequate resources. At the same time, the internet, mobile and cloud computing have empowered people to track their health care data and take agency in managing their care and the care of others. Healthcare is a place for wicked problems; stakeholders can’t agree on the solutions because they can’t agree on the problems. Exceedingly, HCI is being invited to healthcare; healthcare needs HCI. 

A startup I co-founded, www.pratter.us, is taking a step towards a solution by empowering people to shop for low cost, quality health care.