Study finds lackluster interest in the Internet

While some intranet-based information systems appear to be thriving, such as those at the Geisinger Health Care Systems in Danville, PA, the Internet is lagging behind, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by the Ernst & Young consulting company, showed that nine out of 10 health organizations surveyed cited security issues as the main reason they have not moved toward Internet applications. Also, only 52% indicated that developing Internet capabilities is a high priority over the next three years, and a third of the respondents had no interest in increasing their use of the Internet.

The Ernst & Young study is the second of three on the role of the Internet in health care. The company has created a subsidiary called ConnectedHealth.Net to help health care organizations use Internet technologies.

Both of the first two studies are available at the Internet site: http://www.hccybervision. com, or by calling Sandra Spellman at Ernst & Young at (602) 528-5177.