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Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Market Insights: Use of Internet in Healthcare

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 06:13 CDT

According to Frost & Sullivan's Program Manager for Healthcare IT Adam Chee, Internet technology has been integrated into the healthcare industry in its quest to provide quality patient care. As a result of this, direct interaction with customers, widespread sharing of information and the creation of new business relationships has been made possible.

The healthcare facilities have utilized the Internet in the following areas:

1. Healthcare Research

The Internet is an effective medium of research to gain access to academic literature, conducting online interviews and gathering feedback from special focus groups.

2. Education

The target audience for e-learning has been expanded to include professionals in the healthcare industry. Moreover, emerging online communities created allow patients to search for medical information and share their personal experiences.

3. Delivery of Healthcare via Internet

Many medical specialties can use the Internet to provide virtual consultations in areas with poor access to conventional services.

4. Financial and Administrative Transaction

E-procurement is fast gaining popularity in the healthcare industry due to the increasing pressure towards lower costs.

The benefits of the Internet have empowered patients with the knowledge necessary to help them partake in the decision making process of their own treatment.

While the benefits of integrating the Internet into the healthcare industry are numerous, Chee cautions that there are technical organizational as well as policy issues which need to be addressed. Despite that, with the fast growing demand for the use of the Internet, the positive impacts to be generated for the healthcare industry in Asia look promising.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.

Source: Business Wire

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