Information technology and medical group management

Information technology permits revised patient management activities for high-quality, cost-effective care in ambulatory clinics. The electronic medical record is financially feasible for very small physician groups. Disease management for chronic and terminal care patients represents an expanding area of service in medical group management. The Internet provides access to health care information that has empowered patients and their families to approach patient-physician office visits from a new relationship. Data provided by this information technology permit benchmarking of activities by ambulatory care service, treatment modalities, specialty group, and physician.