December 9, 2008

The New Healthcare Consumer Part I of II

Wayne Glowac

It’s time for healthcare to get web savvy, according to recent findings from Deloitte. It’s a fact that the industry has known since the Internet exploded, but has not totally come to fruition. While some providers are pushing ahead with innovative technology, others are getting left in the dust.

Deloitte found that nearly 80 percent of consumers are “interested in gaining access through their doctor or an integrated medical record.” Three out of four would like to see online scheduling, e-mail access and test results. And, two of three consumers would use their doctor’s website to get health information. Even the Medicare population would get digital – 93 percent of enrollees would use a self-monitoring tool at home if they could.

What does this mean for providers? The numbers are there, and they are overwhelmingly in support of web-based healthcare tools directly from providers. Consumers are searching for information, and you can be the one who gives it to them.

Check out our next post this Friday to see more research and consumer findings…

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