What is the future of health information technology? How will it impact the traditional patient-doctor relationship?
The 2007 HSC study showed that of adults who sought health information, more than half (52.4 percent) talked to a physician or other health professional about the information. Also, 50.8 percent found that the information changed their overall approach to maintaining health, and 79.9 percent found that the information helped them understand how to treat an illness or condition. Health information provided by insurance companies is not meant as a substitute for a medical evaluation, diagnosis or treatment. On the contrary, we hope that an informed and engaged consumer will be able to more effectively partner with health care providers to achieve optimal health. DR. WENDY A. RICHARDS is national medical director for Aetna Small and Middle Market Business. Reach her at (312) 928-3307 or Shanahan-RichardsW@aetna.com.
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