Health 2.0: how the Internet is impacting healthcare

Matthew Holt By Patty Enrado, Editor

ORLANDO, Fla. — For the past 15 years, Matthew Holt, healthcare strategist and CIO of Matthew Holt Consulting, has been observing the Internet’s influence in the healthcare industry.

“We’re seeing a change in the way the Internet is being used in healthcare,” he said. “We’re seeing an increased number of easy-to-use technologies that allow groups to communicate more easily.”

Holt shares his impressions in his CIO Forum session, “Health 2.0: User-Generated Healthcare,” on Sunday, Feb. 24, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

He will look at three core technology groups: search engines for content information delivery, community and social networking through the Internet and tools for understanding and managing people’s care.

“We’re seeing tremendous growth, and all these activities are happening outside of the mainstream healthcare system,” said Holt.

CIOs within the healthcare system, therefore, need to be aware of consumer use of these technologies that ultimately empower them and allow them to be more engaged in the decision-making process regarding their healthcare.

The biggest issue - beyond defining what Health 2.0 tools and technology are - is understanding the implications and impact on patients and providers as consumers increase usage of these technologies.

Will providers need to align with vendors to provide these tools? How will the mainstream healthcare technology companies, such as Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft, compete in the healthcare space? Holt will tackle these issues.

The 2008 CHIME/HIMSS CIO Forum, sponsored by Beacon Partners, CTG HealthCare Solutions, Emageon EMC, Epic, InnerWireless, Siemens, Sprint and Stoltenberg Consulting, convenes CIOs from around the country to hear from industry experts, look at industry trends and network.