The Information Age is now officially a part of the health care conversation. Or vice versa.

In a 2012 national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, it was found that 81% of U.S. adults use the Internet - with 59% seeking out health information online in the past year. Perhaps more importantly, 35% of U.S. adults say they have gone online specifically to try to "figure out what medical condition they or someone else might have". In other words, 35% of U.S. adults are considered "online diagnosers".

Meanwhile, in the year 2013, consumers continue to be faced with issues of access to care. The gatekeeper model continues to regulate a patient's access to care from many health care professionals in many states, including Texas and California.

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore, and it is definitely not 1950. Now that we are in the Information Age, the model will need to change - and here's why.

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Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This day recognizes the late civil rights leader, and has done so since it was first observed on January 20, 1986.

This day should remind us, time and time again, that equality and civil rights are not just things that we should take for granted, nor should they be things that are noteworthy only when it is convenient to do so.

King was a man of brilliant words and oratory, of lessons learned and life lived as an African-American in the south. But those words of brilliance are applicable to all of us seeking to live the American Dream – regardless of race or gender. In 1963, he noted that “even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.” King harkened back to the words of the US Constitution – those unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

You see, King’s Dream was (and is) the American Dream – or vice versa. But does King’s Dream remain unfulfilled – even in 2012?

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It would appear at times that the human condition thrives on complexity. Humans just love to make situations more complex. And when they do, it usually gets them in trouble.

We see it in sport. At times you would think that it requires some modern day rocket scientist to coach a pro football team. At least that's what the pundits would have you believe. We do it in our own daily lives. We somehow find ways to make our days far more complex than they need be. Perhaps a more complex set of problems validates our challenging existence for the benefit of empathy and perhaps even rationalization of our behaviors.

We also do it in health care. Yes, the human body is based on a complex interaction of systems. But it is also operates on some very straightforward principles such as stimulus-response and homeostasis.

Rarely is the best solution the more complex option. Simplicity unto itself could be a prime health care solution. Just ask Albert Einstein.

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Today was a beautiful sunny day in Austin. It was crisp and cool in the morning, with some wonderful sunshine during the day. It was just like many other winter days in central Texas.

But wait – oh my, it is Friday the 13th! [insert ominous background music here]. Run, run, run for your life!

There are an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States that are affected by a fear of Friday the 13th. That amounts to about 5% of the U.S. population.

Holy friggatriskaidekaphobia, Batman!

With numbers like that, I feel fortunate to have survived a day like today. Apparently, it is a daunting task for many. How did I ever manage to make it through the most feared day and date in history?

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