Healthcare Internet Keynote Follow-up
In reviewing some of the keynote speaker’s blogs after the Healthcare Internet conference, I found a couple of interesting posts that we wanted to share. First, Bill Crounse, MD, Director, Workdwide Health, Microsoft Corporation writes about how during his speech he asked who in the room had accomplished the following on their Web site:
- On-line appointment scheduling
- Web messaging with physician and support staff
- Access to lab and radiology reports
- On-line prescription refills
- Reminders and “information therapy”
- Access to personal medical records
- Outcomes and disease management tools
To his despair, no one in the room raised their hand. I too, did find it interesting, knowing many of the people in the room, that no hands went up. Does anyone want to share their thoughts as to why this is? This list hasn’t changed in the seven years I’ve been working as a hospital Internet strategist, yet we still seem so far away from providing these transactions.
On a different note, Shel Holtz talks about a new client opportunity that came from someone finding a copy of his handout from the conference. No, it wasn’t one of our conference attendees, it was someone from a neighboring conference. Goes to show you never know who is seeing your marketing efforts, and where the next opportunity will be!
To be fair, many in health care are offering most of what Dr. Crounse asked us about. We may not be offering all of them at the same time, but many are offering the majority. The question is whether doing so is making any difference!
You make a good point, Neal. There are many energetic, innovative individuals making great strides on health care Web sites. You are also correct in pointing out that the question should be asked about whether doing so is making any difference. We should be asking that question in everything we do. I would argue that it absolutely is making a difference. Not only is it meeting the expectations of consumers and patients that can interact and complete their business online in other industries, and desire to also do so with their health care provider. But, there is also growing research that connections made online are actually leading to improving clinical outcomes. Now that’s making a difference!