Just when you were positioning yourself for electronic health records and e-prescribing, along comes additional Internet and other online activities that you hear is essential to your technology strategic plan. I am assisting the University of Memphis in the design of an online course in ambulatory healthcare for the Graduate program for Health Administration. They know to be competitive and to reach more students, the Internet will play a significant role for this program to continue to grow and be competitive. 

 

This past week we witnessed how using one Internet site called Twitter provided real time reporting with no censorship on the election in Iran. It was able to end run the government through their crack down on the printed and television media. 

 

Industries such as healthcare are very dependent on relationships. With the discussion of healthcare reform and more transparency, understanding the world of cyber space and what it can do to you and for you is going to differentiate medical providers in the future.

 

Recently I heard Terry Brock speak. He said, "It is about R-Commerce and not E-Commerce, which means relationships." Some of the comparisons Terry used included the ideas of using lots of capital, that seniority rules, big is better, traditional industry ruled and you had to own means of production. Today, it is about need lots of ideas, results rule, fast and nimble are better, and having access to means of production is most important. In the last century, relationships matter most, but today, relationships matter more than ever!

 

As is the tradition in healthcare, many will not embrace this strategy. But the reality is clear; those who do will be far ahead. The cost of this media and implementation is less expensive which means it's an open playing field. 

 

Some of the most popular social media sites include: Twitter, YouTube, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace. BlackBerry phones and iPods are just two of the components along with other wireless and portable devices. The question is which ones best fit your particular need and how do you evaluate and implement them in your strategy?

 

I have worked with some healthcare providers in education, strategizing and implanting "Cyber Medicine Networking"™. Most of our time is on education, evaluation and planning, with emphasis on not re-inventing the wheel. This significantly holds down costs and is a custom fit to your practice's needs and mission. 

 

Many providers have had limited access to the uses of the Internet except through their individual web page. Many providers are learning more about the Internet because of pubic reporting and lists (such as Angie's list) which allows individuals to talk about their experience with medical providers. If you look at this list, it also allows individuals to look at plumbers, electricians, auto repair, etc. I know it sounds insulting, but it is reality. And it is through these lists that individuals who were "computer illiterate" are able to learn online how to navigate through the Internet and utilize it.

 

The Internet and the tools of the Internet are not going to be something you can think about too long before implementing. They are something you need to start looking at right now.

 

Let me give you a personal example. Since I publish and speak a good bit, I went to Google.com and put in my name, J William Appling. Up came a list of my publications and speaking engagements. And I am not talking about the ones from two years ago or last year, I am talking about those and also some that were just published a few weeks ago. If you don't think this has prompted me to move into high gear, then think again.