Practice websites are becoming popular among physicians to help facilitate communications and to provide access to healthcare information and services for increasingly demanding patients. Physician and patient websites are now being integrated with practice management systems to offer patient-focused information, communication tools and administrative functions.

Scope

• Examines the growing market for practice websites to facilitate communications between physicians and patients
• Details results of Datamonitor’s 2003 Physician Insight Survey, showing key country trends in physician use of and attitudes towards practice websites
• Analyzes essential tools required for a successful practice website and uses case studies to demonstrate their use
• Examines factors that will impact the market and influence market strategies: national eHealth initiatives and practice management system vendors

Report Highlights

Significant penetration rates in Germany, Italy and the US reflect the positive attitude towards the value of practice websites. Pharmaceutical companies should utilize their existing relationships between sales representatives and physicians to raise awareness of practice websites among physicians and build on sponsorship opportunities.

Practice websites which feature secure patient-physician communication tools are relatively uncommon. However, stakeholders should examine the key components of practice websites and prepare for growth in the availability of communications tools.

Benefits

• Identify key trends in physician use and attitudes towards practice websites across the US and the five major markets in Europe
• Understand the demands of physicians and patients with respect to tools and services offered on practice websites
• Optimize the opportunities to reach both patients and physicians in this developing market

Sent in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

48 pages