With government stalling on enacting solutions for healthcare reform, Shirky noted that patients aren't waiting for government to finally step up and change the healthcare system. Individuals are flocking to Health 2.0; "the transformation is already happening," he said.

As part of his Great American Health 2.0 Tour, David Kibbe, MD, senior adviser to the American Association of Family Physicians, traveled across the country to interview healthcare bloggers, healthcare IT companies and industry experts about Health 2.0 activity. "We're further along than we think," he told attendees.

Health plans and pharmaceutical companies are using Health 2.0, and professional organizations and institutions are beginning to accept the disruptive changes Health 2.0 brings instead of putting up barriers," he said.

Going forward, Kibbe said, "Delivering value is going to be very important."

Physicians around the country are coming together informally to embrace the change, he said. "There are a growing number of physicians who are absolutely on board," Kibbe said, because they understand that Health 2.0's tools and resources help them take better care of their patients.