What is e-Health?

Introduction

The explosive growth in Internet usage over the past few years has had a profound impact on personal communication, information sharing, and business models. E-mail keeps us connected in real-time; the wealth of information available on the Web expands our knowledge base; and e-commerce capabilities change the economics and strategies of industries.

e-Health refers to all forms of electronic healthcare delivered over the Internet, ranging from informational, educational and commercial "products" to direct services offered by professionals, non-professionals, businesses or consumers themselves.

e-Health includes a wide variety of the clinical activities that have traditionally characterized telehealth, but delivered through the Internet. Simply stated, e-Health is making health care more efficient, while allowing patients and professionals to do the previously impossible.

The Present

While other industries have captured the value of the Internet early on, the scale and scope of the US healthcare system presents perhaps the greatest potential for Internet-based applications.

Access, cost, quality, and portability have been concerns in the health care arena. Evidence suggests that both health consumers and doctors are frustrated with the maze of health care delivery. Fortunately, e-Health appears to be helping to resolve many of the challenges confronting the health care industry.

Just in the past few years, the following e-Health services have emerged:

• Health portals, or health information sites, which empower consumers and physicians through customized education and online community experience;
• Connectivity and communications solutions, which streamline administrative workflow, thereby reducing waste and inefficiencies; and,
• E-commerce, including online health insurance and drug prescriptions.

As technology evolves, we could see even greater value-added Internet applications, including sophisticated chronic disease management tools. And as the market matures, a consolidation of all the online services will become likely. We could have a truly "Integrated Delivery System," with attendant quality, access, and low cost.

There should be no illusions that the Internet could serve as a panacea to all of the complicated challenges confronting healthcare. We do not believe technology can ever displace the expertise and personal care that only healthcare practitioners can deliver. We do believe that the Internet can go a long way in facilitating communication, streamlining administrative work that often takes away from time with patients, and educating both physicians and consumers.

The Next Step

While the "first generation" of e-Health primarily offered information and support, the next generation will offer increased access to practitioners and direct service delivery.

Healthcare practitioners are also using computers to take histories, fine-tune diagnoses, monitor progress, and maintain therapeutic contact through email. Some practitioners are already using the Internet as a virtual office to provide interactive consultations. Managed care is also making provisions for e-Health.

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