All services will be relevant to helping people improve their lives. The new portal will open in the spring of 2000. Mayo also will expand mayo.edu, which provides information about Mayo Clinic s patient care services, medical education programs and scientific research activities. 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 provide oversight for 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.