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To: tech101 who wrote (244)	2/7/2001 9:56:19 AM
From: tech101	Respond to of 326

Doctors go online, but mostly from home, not the office Most physicians use the Internet and computers but don't see enough value yet to use them professionally, surveys say. By Tyler Chin, AMNews staff. Feb. 12, 2001. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most U.S. physicians are using the Internet and computers, but significant challenges still must be overcome if doctors are to use technology as strategic clinical tools, according to data from two new surveys. The percentage of physicians using the Internet increased to 70%, nearly doubling from 37% in 1999, according to an AMA survey of about 1,000 physicians. But most doctors continue to find more value in using the Internet for personal rather than professional activities. These personal activities include exchanging e-mail with individuals rather than patients, accessing travel information and buying products and services. One major reason for the increase in physician Web use is probably due to computer manufacturers' practice of bundling Internet access software with other software when PCs are sold, said Mindy Schneiderman, the AMA's director of market research and analysis. The finding that 75% of the physicians say that they personally use computers seems to support that explanation. That figure is up from 41% in 1999. "One of the key findings is not so much [the level] of Internet usage but the computer usage among physicians," Schneiderman said. "That struck me as being very strong." Another surprising survey finding is that 54% of physicians use the Internet at work, though as expected, most -- 70% -- use it at home, she said. The AMA's previous survey did not ask doctors from what location they accessed the Internet. The findings of the AMA survey, which are scheduled for release in March, indicate that a basic building block is in place for doctors to eventually adopt Internet-based and other technologies in their practices, say some physicians and observers. But, they say, physicians haven't yet been shown that computers and the Internet can benefit their practices. Who's afraid of the Internet? That also is what two consulting firms -- Cyber Dialogue and Deloitte Consulting -- found in a survey of 1,200 practicing physicians that was released in December 2000. "If you listen to Web site vendors, they will tell you, one, that doctors don't like technology, and two, that they are locked in their old ways and don't like innovation," said Manuel Lowenhaupt, MD, principal, Deloitte Consulting Health Care Practice, an arm of Deloitte Consulting. "I'd say our study shows that isn't correct. ... Physicians are excited by this technology, are perfectly comfortable with it and would like to have something that would save them time and make them better doctors." To support his assertion, Dr. Lowenhaupt said the survey found that 90% of practicing physicians have accessed the Internet at some point during the past 12 months. Of physicians overall, 55% are daily users and 24% are professional users. The survey defines the latter as doctors who spend 75% of their time online for professional activities. These include taking continuing medical education courses online, accessing medical journals, communicating with colleagues and searching for patient education material. According to the report, these statistics mean most physicians have embraced the Internet for general use but not for professional use. That's because 80% of physicians don't view the Internet as essential to their practices, said Mark Bard, a director in Cyber Dialogue's health practice. In other words, Bard said, these doctors don't believe that existing online applications and services help them make money, reduce costs or improve care. At least not yet. The survey found that 71%of physicians agreed that they will rely on the Internet more in five years and 59% agree that it will radically improve communication among patients, physicians and health plans. ama-assn.org