Mayo's new Internet presence will focus on interactive health education rather than traditional health information because the 10 million people who use health sites each day want to obtain knowledge to confidently make health-related decisions. All services will be relevant to helping people improve their lives. The new portal will open in the spring of 2000. People are taking more responsibility for their own health. Patients are actively involved in making decisions about their health.
Patients turn to the Internet before going to the doctor and again afterwards.
People also are beginning to manage their health electronically. This has added a new dimension to healthcare. Mayo will form a private Internet company devoted to this new initiative using outside capital from private investors. A physician-led board of directors will manage the company and operate it under Mayo's philosophy that patient needs are primary. The location and name of the company have not yet been determined.