Physicians in cyberspace

While the health care industry tends to lag behind other industries in its use of information technology (IT), a growing number of physicians in private practice are developing a Web presence. In response to the changes occurring in health care, physicians have had to assume the role of small business owners in addition to clinical specialists. One strategy being adopted by many physicians is to integrate IT into the management processes of the medical practice. This can greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information access, maintenance, and delivery. Common uses include automated patient scheduling, accounts receivable management, medical records management, and the use of electronic data interchange to electronically transmit medical information between doctors offices and hospitals or between doctors offices and insurance companies. Most recently, the Internet and the Web are being used by physicians in private practice as a competitive business tool.