E-Health: Future Implications

Abstract

Beginning in 1969 with the introduction of ARPANET, parent to the Internet, the federal government and its agencies have pioneered the use of electronic interconnectivity to share information in more timely and efficient ways. Today, with society embracing e-commerce, Internet technologies have increasing potential to affect nearly every area of both public and private sector health care—an exciting and challenging prospect. Moving information and knowledge directly between caregiver and patient, between insured member and payor, and between regulatory agency and reporting organization poses remarkable possibilities for improved timeliness, accuracy, value, and effectiveness of information. This is the simple essence of e-health: it enables people to have greater participation in, knowledge about, and influence on their health, and it improves interactions with their health and wellness service providers.