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Healthcare
Accenting the 'e' in Healthcare
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Better late than never. In last year's survey, it became evident that healthcare technology was beginning to enter 'e-space.' This year, the era of 'e' may finally be arriving.
Behind this shift are myriad social changes, financial paradigms and government regulations. Healthcare recipients, for example, are becoming more Internet savvy. They seek out medical content on the Web, often arriving at their physicians' offices armed with research about their condition. A growing number of patients also want online access to their medical records and claims status, and they want to e-mail their physicians and make appointments online. Meanwhile, frustrated physicians are demanding that managed care organizations simplify referral and authorization processes, and they want their claims paid on a more timely basis.
 These are only a few of the drivers that are forcing the healthcare industry to embrace e-connectivity. Altogether, 71 percent of this year's survey respondents - more than any sector except chemicals - said that 'developing an e-business strategy' is a top IS management issue. This figure is 10 percent higher than last year's healthcare responses and 20 percent higher than this year's survey average. Last year, healthcare's priorities were significantly more internal: 'organizing and utilizing data' and 'aligning IS and corporate goals' were the most-often-cited IS priorities, while 'developing an e-strategy' was the third.
 But practically speaking, only 38 percent of respondents have an e-business strategy in place now, a figure that is unchanged from 1999. This is the second lowest of all industry sectors and 30 percent below the survey average. Similarly, nearly two thirds of healthcare respondents stated that they are 'not involved with e-business currently, but are considering it.' This figure is 63 percent higher than the survey average. It tells us that healthcare executives recognize the need to embrace e-technologies but, for the most part, have yet to do so. Lastly, healthcare respondents identified 'electronic commerce' and 'Internet technologies' as two of the top areas that need investment.
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