Large HMO offers Web site access to members
Contact with professionals provides accurate info
A Web site for members of Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, an Oakland-based HMO, was launched in December 1996 to offer members another way to obtain information from health care professionals.
Tim Kieschnick, technology development manager for Kaiser, says Web surfers must have a medical record number and PIN number to access the site.
Kaiser members can view general information on self-care that helps them determine whether to contact their doctor or treat at home. Also, they can participate in three on-line bulletin boards, offering questions for a pediatrician, an advice nurse, and an open discussion between patients.
Using e-mail, patients can write detailed messages and receive detailed answers. "Internet e-mail is becoming more and more important as a way for health care providers to communicate with the patient," says Kieschnick, who estimates that 20% of Kaiser patients have Internet access. Such lengthy communication is not possible during office visits or telephone conversations, Kieschnick says.
Kaiser hopes to add a section this year where patients can enter the medications they take and receive information on drug interactions. The HMO also intends to put case management on-line, so that patients with a chronic illness such as diabetes will be able to send e-mail messages to their case manager. This would allow the patient’s blood glucose levels to be monitored on-line so the case manager could offer advice about office visits.
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