Market forces, which have in the past forced other industries to become more efficient, have been pushing the healthcare industry in the same direction. Information-hungry consumers have flocked to the Internet and are a pivotal reason for the rapid growth of the Internet healthcare industry. Healthcare professionals are also consumers in their own way and many have taken advantage of the healthcare provider information services on the Internet. Savvy marketing has contributed to solid branding, something that was essentially unheard of in healthcare until quite recently. However, many of the traditional players in the field, including providers, hospitals and insurers, have not kept up with the rapid pace of change.
Privacy is a concern, as is the reliability of the healthcare information online.
A certain disequilibrium has resulted. The factors driving the explosive growth of the Internet healthcare industry are formidable, if not unstoppable. However, barriers may slow the adoption of Internet technologies into the healthcare mainstream. IH2000 will bring together healthcare professionals and educators with industry leaders to examine the state of Internet healthcare today, with an eye to facilitating improvements for the future. 1999, Rising Tide Studios.