Market Report Source

Overview

Introduction

Internet-enabled information communication technologies, such as computers, mobile phones and PDAs have had a significant impact on the physician-patient relationship by allowing for the efficient and cost-effective management of large volumes of information, as well as by supporting communications between individuals that would otherwise be prohibited by time or geography.

Scope

*Insight into how the type of Internet-access a consumer has influences consumerism in healthcare. *Analysis of the Internet-enabled technologies physicians and consumers are currently using throughout their day. *Identification of the information and services consumers would most like to receive from their doctor’s office. *A discussion of physicians’ willingness to use Internet-enabled communication technologies in their patient interactions.

Highlights

The availability of high speed Internet access remains the final hurdle to overcome for many consumers who already have both ready access to an Internet-enabled technology and the willingness to use it to facilitate the medical care they receive.

Datamonitor finds that consumers would be highly willing to use Internet-enabled compliance tools, such as emails, text messages or voicemail reminders, provided these services are available to them.

Physicians in the US and Western Europe feel that low levels of awareness among healthcare professionals and patients are the primary factor restricting the use of online disease management and online compliance programs by healthcare professionals.

Reasons to Purchase

*Understand trends in Internet and broadband adoption in the US, Western Europe and Japan *Identify which Internet-enabled disease management services, compliance tools and telemedicine applications are most in demand *Target physicians and consumers through the Internet-enabled technologies they are most likely to be using on a daily basis

Table of Contents

DATAMONITOR VIEW

CATALYST

SUMMARY

METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS

Increased access to Internet-enabled technologies will contribute exponentially to growing levels of consumerism within key pharmaceutical markets

The Internet and the changing consumer

The Internet and the changing patient-physician relationship

Factors impacting the facilitation of the physician-patient relationship using ICT

Consumers’ demands for personally relevant medical information and services will continue to drive an increase in both the quantity and quality of Internet-enabled healthcare applications

Access to broadband-enabled ICT expands within key pharmaceutical markets

An opportunity exists to expand consumers’ use of mobile solutions, disease management tools and compliance tools

Expand the use of mobile phones for healthcare-related activities

Provide consumers’ with better access to disease management and compliance tools through all Internet-enabled platforms

Consumers have little experience with telemedicine services, but would be willing to adopt them should the prove to provide access to more comprehensive care

Physicians will struggle to balance consumers’ demands for ICT with more practical issues of cost and feasibility

Broadband Internet allows physicians to adopt complex, data-rich applications

Providing patients with better care using online channels

Low awareness is the most significant barrier to widespread adoption of online disease management and compliance tools

KEY TRENDS

Internet Access

Online disease management and compliance tools

Telemedicine applications and services

APPENDIX

List of Figures

Definitions and Abbreviations

References

Extended methodology

Datamonitor eHealth Physician Insight Survey 2005

Datamonitor eHealth Consumer Insight Survey 2005

Ask the analyst

List of Figures

Figure 1: The Internet is a key factor of influence in top pharmaceutical markets

Figure 2: The type of Internet access an individual has can impact the types of information and services they can take advantage of online

Figure 3: Most consumers and physicians have access to the Internet through a computer at home or work

Figure 4: Consumers regularly use the Internet for personal reasons outside of work and school responsibilities

Figure 5: Consumers frequently look for information regarding the health of themselves and their loved ones

Figure 6: Access to broadband determines the types of information that can be shared using ICT

Figure 7: Europe and Asia continue to lead the world in use of DSL

Figure 8: Although use of DSL is growing, most US consumers continue to access broadband using cable modems

Figure 9: Mobile solutions are infrequently used by consumers to complete healthcare-related tasks

Figure 10: Cost and security concerns are at the forefront of consumers’ minds when deciding whether to utilize mobile solutions more frequently

Figure 11: A large gap exists between the healthcare management services that consumers would like to access from their doctors’ offices and those that are currently available for their use

Figure 12: Electronic reminders would be used by consumers more often were they to be made available

Figure 13: Patients have a mild interest in using telemedicine services in order to improve their access to care

Figure 14: Overall, patients would like their physicians to use the Internet to improve the quality of care they receive

Figure 15: As with US consumers, most US physician continue to access broadband using cable modems

Figure 16: Much of physicians’ workday activities remain paper-based

Figure 17: Lack of wireless service in the workplace and short battery life prevent physicians from utilizing mobile solutions more frequently during their workday

Figure 18: Patients are most interested in using the Internet to communicate with their physicians or to access more information on diseases and treatments

Figure 19: Physicians are working to meet patients demands for online information and services

Figure 20: Physicians are eager to more closely monitor the progress of their patients using Internet-enabled technologies

Figure 21: Online disease management and compliance tools that can be used independently by either the patient or the physician are of greatest interest to surveyed physicians

Figure 22: Many patients with chronic disease can benefit from participating in online disease management or compliance programs

Figure 23: Low awareness is the most significant barrier to widespread adoption of online disease management and compliance tools

Figure 24: Physicians show a greater interest than consumers in monitoring patients via mobile technologies