The commerce of ideas: Internets and Intranets

Area of Science:

• Academic Medicine
• Health Care Information Technology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Academic physicians excel in clinical medicine, research, and education, but historically underperform in information management.
• The rise of network-based communications necessitates improved information infrastructure for academic medical centers to maintain a competitive edge.
• Many institutions have adopted health care information technology indiscriminately rather than with focused leadership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of World Wide Web (WWW) technologies and internal intranets on academic medicine.
• To analyze how increased Internet penetration and intranet use can transform biomedical publishing, education, and hospital libraries.
• To assess the current state of information technology vision and strategic planning within academic medical centers.

Main Methods:

• Speculative essay based on current trends in information technology adoption within academic medicine.
• Analysis of the transformative potential of the Internet and intranets in healthcare information management.
• Review of institutional approaches to information technology vision and implementation.

Main Results:

• The Internet is significantly altering biomedical publishing, education, and library services.
• Intranets are emerging as crucial tools for administrative support and patient-specific information delivery.
• Despite the potential, many academic medical centers lack the strategic vision and will to implement effective information technology plans.

Conclusions:

• Academic medicine faces a critical juncture regarding information management and technology adoption.
• Strategic leadership and a coherent plan are essential for harnessing the full potential of the Internet and intranets.
• Failure to adapt information technology strategies may hinder academic medical centers' future competitiveness and effectiveness.