Internet Poised to Lead Health Care Revolution

Internet Poised to Lead Revolution in Health Care

On Oct. 27, 1998, 400 physicians and health care industry leaders attended an "Internet Health Day" conference in San Francisco sponsored by Intel Corporation. Intel chairman and Time's 1997 "Man of the Year" Andrew S. Grove, who organized Internet Health Day, credited the Internet as a key resource in his own fight against prostate cancer several years ago. Grove predicted that the Internet will bring "revolutionary changes" to the nation's trillion dollar a year health care industry.

In Grove's view, society has reached an Internet-driven "Strategic Inflection Point," at which time extreme change forever alters the competitive landscape of an industry, creating both opportunities and challenges.

"The Internet is enabling consumers to find a wealth of health information with a click of a mouse," Grove said in his keynote address. "The Internet allows consumers to gather information, discuss options, and exchange stories with others in similar conditions, as well as communicate in a timely fashion with their physicians.

"Almost unnoticed by the mainstream health care industry, the Internet has evolved from simple health information delivery to sophisticated communities bringing inspiration and support to those with illnesses and their caretakers. Grove explained how the Internet transforms industries by delivering ever-increasing benefits to consumers and, in the process, shifting value from traditional industry players to progressive players who can harness the Internet medium."

"E-mail and Internet technology have created an 'X-Factor' in productivity that has stimulated the U.S. economy through increased productivity and efficiency," Grove said. "It is time for an X-Factor in health care where Internet technology is used to keep costs in check while deepening doctor-to- patient relationships through increased communication and care."

60 million Internet users in the United States have access to more than 15,000 Web sites with information about health. For at least 20 million Americans who are online, the Internet has become "an indispensable part" of their lives. 18 million Americans sought health and medical information online, equal to the number who searched for answers to questions about financial investments.

"Sixty percent of the doctors report that their patients come in with sheaves of information that were printed out of the Internet," according to Grove. Data cited in a recent research report from ING Baring Furman Selz LLC suggest that these so-called ''HealthMed'' users are among the most enthusiastic online purchasers. The report said HealthMed users purchased an average of $2,250 worth of goods online in the year ended July 1998.