The internet has revolutionized the healthcare industry. Miniwatts Marketing Group has estimated that there were 3,366,261,156 internet users on November 30, 2015 (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2015). A total of 313,867,363 (9.3%) were from North America, with the US alone having 280,742,532 users (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2015). The massive use of the internet has revolutionized various industries globally, including the health care industry in the US. The internet has been beneficial in allowing health care providers and patients to access appropriate healthcare information conveniently. The internet has been useful in promoting the quality of care and patient outcomes through several ways, some of which include improvements in doctor-patient relationship, electronic medical records, and health promotion interventions.
First, the internet has greatly enhanced the doctor-patient relationship, mainly through patient access to and consumption of medical information (Ballas, 2001; Rider, Malik, & Chevassut, 2014). Previously, there was no balance between doctors and patients on their health knowledge (Ballas, 2001). The reason is that physicians had better access to health information than patients. Poor access to health information meant that patients did not have sufficient power to make informed decisions about their care (Ballas, 2001). The internet has, however, introduced a kind of balance in the relationship between physicians and patients in regard to the health knowledge. The internet has provided easy access to interpreted medical information to health care consumers (Ballas, 2001).
This kind of information is very useful, especially when doctors seem to have no time to elaborate to patients on conditions they have (Ballas, 2001; Rider et al., 2014). Patients are able to access health information about their conditions from websites owned by credible authorities such as government departments, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations. There are hundreds of thousands of such websites containing medical information, which greatly enhances patients’ access to medical information. Unlike in the past, patients are going to the consultation room with sufficient information about their conditions or are able to get more information about their conditions after diagnosis (Ballas, 2001). The knowledge that patients gain from internet-based health information significantly affects their behavior during the consultation (Rider et al., 2014). In particular, the information improves patient’s trust of confidence and confidence in their physician (Rider et al., 2014). The restoration of the physician-patient information by the internet-based medical information means that physicians are not able to single-handedly control the kind of decision a patient makes.
Second, the internet has enhanced the efficiency of medical records. Through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, the US government incentivized healthcare providers such as hospitals, nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, physicians, practitioners, pharmacists, and home health entities to adopt and implement electronic medical records. According to HealthIT.gov, the benefits of electronic medical records that promote patient care and outcomes include improved patient participation, improved coordination of care, enhanced practice efficiency and cost saving, and improved diagnostics (HealthIT.gov, 2014). Electronic medical records may be accessed from different locations such as home, office, and hospital, by medical professionals that have privileges to do so. For instance, physicians might check lab and radiology results remotely, as well as order medication and discharge of the patients from a remote location using e-record systems. This access enhances the efficiency in patient care. Further, automation of patient medical records allows easy access to earlier medical records, which promotes the continuity of care. Electronic medical records enable health care providers to give patients comprehensive and accurate information concerning their medical evaluations.
In addition, some companies such as medicalrecord.com and medicalrecords.com are offering to keep medical records electronically on behalf of patients. This allows patients and their physicians to access the information in a convenient manner, especially during emergencies. This access enables patients and healthcare providers to collaborate in making informed care decisions, especially in regard to the treatment of chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Electronic health records also enable providers to make and manage appointment schedules with their patients. The timely communication afforded by electronic medical records make it possible for providers to identify symptoms in a timely manner (Ballas, 2001).
Third, the exponential growth of the internet has significantly improved health behavior change. There is a rapid expansion in the use of the internet as a tool for the delivery of health promotion interventions intended for behavior change (Webb et al., 2010). Some of the health promotion interventions delivered through the internet encourage participants to engage in health-related behaviors such as smoking abstinence, physical activity, and dietary behavior (Webb et al., 2010). Internet-based health interventions which are intended for the promotion of health have a meaningful effect on health-related behaviors, especially if grounded in theories and accompanied by the use of messages (Webb et al., 2010). The use of behavior change theory might be associated with larger effect sizes. Some of the theories that might enhance the effectiveness of internet-based behavior change interventions are the social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model, and the theory of reasoned action/planned behavior (Webb et al., 2010).
In conclusion, an approximated 3.4 billion people used the internet in November 2015. This massive use of the internet has transformed many industries throughout the world, including the healthcare industry. The internet has enhanced patient access to comprehensive and accurate medical information. This unprecedented access to medical information by patients has improved their ability to take active roles in making health care decisions affecting them, as well as enhancing doctor-patient relationship. The internet has also enhanced the delivery of care through electronic medical records. Health care providers are able to conveniently access patient health records and coordinate care. Patients are also able to access their medical information, which enhances their participation in the delivery of care. Further, the internet has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. These internet-based interventions may be more effective if grounded in appropriated theories.
References
Ballas, M. M. S. (2001). The impact of the internet on the healthcare industry: A close look at the doctor-patient relationship, the electronic medical record, and the medical billing process. Einstein Quarterly Journal of Biology and Medicine, 18, 79-83.
HealthIT.gov. (2014, July 30). Benefits of electronic health records (EHRs). Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/benefits-electronic-health-records-ehrs
Miniwats Marketing Group. (2015). Internet world statistics: Usage and population statistics. Retrieved from http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
Rider, T., Malik, M., & Chevassut, T. (2014). Haematology patients and the internet: The use of on-line health information and the impact on the patient–doctor relationship. Patient Education and Counseling, 97(2), 223-238.
Webb, T., Joseph, J., Yardley, L., & Michie, S. (2010). Using the internet to promote health behavior change: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of theoretical basis, use of behavior change techniques, and mode of delivery on efficacy. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 12(1), e4.
