The Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM) learns about and promotes the concept of participatory medicine through writing, speaking, social networking and other channels. SPM aims to advance the understanding of physicians and other professionals in the importance of well-informed, empowered and engaged patients making informed decisions about their care and treatment; to foster communication among medical, patient advocacy and public health subspecialties and the exchange of a wide range of ideas related to participatory medicine; to support informational and other research programs of the highest quality in participatory medicine; and to proactively minimize the effect of the digital divide in the development of participatory medicine in minorities and disenfranchised populations.