Healthcare

• The changing attitude of 'new' healthcare consumers. Before these patients visit their GP, they know everything about their health problem, drugs, etc. These patients use the Internet to communicate with healthcare professionals via e-mail, chat boxes , text messages and use a PDA and personal computer. "Better information equals better healthcare" rules.
• The increasing costs to support a high-quality healthcare service. Internet Technology and Information Systems allow a complete Electronic Health Record (EHR) patient follow-up workflow system to be implemented which helps to control costs, and results in higher patient satisfaction.
• Government healthcare regulation. The increasing use of electronic medical records (EMR) and wireless connectivity in hospitals has resulted in a greater emphasis on patient confidentiality and privacy of clinical, demographic, and financial data.
• Take-overs and partnerships between healthcare organisations. The historical image of 'social institute' has been replaced by a 'care service delivery organisation' which has to 'fight' for its place in a competitive environment. This trend is irreversible and requires a strong commitment of the healthcare management and its employees.