Information Systems and Health Care XII: Toward a Consumer-to-Healthcare Provider (C2H) Electronic Marketplace

Abstract

Recent technological advances and the heightened expectations of e-health consumers are about to transform the U.S. health care industry. As consumers demand more online services, physicians respond by adopting information technology into their daily routines. In this paper, we first present recent developments within the telemedicine and e-health fields that necessitate the establishment of a consumer-to-healthcare provider (C2H) electronic marketplace. Next, we discuss the services this marketplace should offer to both consumers and physicians for it to thrive in this extensively regulated industry. Finally, we compare these services with those provided by what we call a "first-generation C2H marketplace," a comparison that clearly outlines practical implications for the C2H marketplaces of the future. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of Communications of AIS is the property of Association for Information Systems and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) Recent technological advances and the heightened expectations of e-health consumers are about to transform the U.S. health care industry. As consumers demand more online services, physicians respond by adopting information technology into their daily routines. In this paper, we first present recent developments within the telemedicine and e-health fields that necessitate the establishment of a consumer-to-healthcare provider (C2H) electronic marketplace. Next, we discuss the services this marketplace should offer to both consumers and physicians for it to thrive in this extensively regulated industry. Finally, we compare these services with those provided by what we call a "first-generation C2H marketplace," a comparison that clearly outlines practical implications for the C2H marketplaces of the future. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of Communications of AIS is the property of Association for Information Systems and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)