A robust communications infrastructure is critical to evolving clinical guidance systems. The Internet turns out to be a fortuitous and essential backbone for that infrastructure. It also directly aids the cause of Informed Shared Decision Making by making it much easier for patients and health care professionals to continue their work together beyond the boundaries of the clinical encounter. Still, not all the components of the communications infrastructure are Internet based, or even computerized. See Picker Institute's February 2000 newsletter for more information.
Patients can request prescription refills and appointments.
Although we are not endorsing any of these sites, here are a few that caught our attention. KPOnline is for members only. Visit Kaiser Permanente for further information. In the realm of high end computer based records, the distinction between communication and decision support is blurred.