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Summary
Healthcare is beginning to use the World Wide Web, with initial steps including many electronic marketing brochures. Innovators are now advancing Internet technology for direct patient care applications.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Digital Health
- Internet Medicine
Background:
- The World Wide Web has seen initial adoption by healthcare organizations, primarily for marketing purposes.
- Many healthcare websites currently function as digital brochures, offering limited patient interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the nascent integration of Internet technology into patient care.
- To identify early innovators leveraging the web for frontline healthcare delivery.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of early healthcare websites and their functionalities.
- Case studies of pioneering healthcare providers utilizing Internet technology.
Main Results:
- A significant number of healthcare home pages exist, predominantly serving as marketing tools.
- A small group of innovators are actively applying Internet technology to direct patient care.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare's presence on the World Wide Web is evolving beyond basic marketing.
- Internet technology holds potential for transforming frontline patient care delivery.