The New Straits Times, March 4, 2001
By Prof. Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
First it was Amazon.com, then Barnes & Noble. com. Of late, these online book dealers have suffered some losses leading to a cutback in their operations.
At first glance it would seem Internet transactions for information are on a declining path. Some suggest that this may be only temporary.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding dotcoms, the Internet continues to surge ahead as the vehicle of the global network. Some communications software and solutions providers report that the number of Internet hosts has reached 100 million. The number of hosts is considered one of the most accurate measures of the size of the Internet. Sites like www.emarkers.com recently put online a report that 230 million people above are currently active Internet users. The number is expected to nearly triple in the next four years.
Whatever the case, using the Internet to seek health information is on the rise too. More and more people now surf the Internet for health information, and reportedly many health organisations are searching for ways to steer them to sites that offer reliable information. In other words, consumers and patients can improve their knowledge of healthcare through the Net.
The Internet is also regarded as the world's largest provider of health news and information to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. According to one estimate, over one million pages of health information each year is made available to pharmaceutical companies, medical researchers, public health authorities, educators, and managed-care professionals.
Market research too shows over half of adult online users go to the Web for information to manage their health. One example is www.NewsRx.net that offers consumers a wide range of information.
The same data used by thousands of pharmaceutical and biotech clients around the world is also available to the general public.
"Web searchers need to know what to ask their physician and what the latest health news for their specific need is," C.W. Henderson, CEO of NewsRx said, adding that research shows 90 per cent of find the Web useful.
So it is not surprising that a name has also been given to the phenomenon - information therapy - just what one would expect from the information era.
In any case in the health care sector information has long been recognised as an important part of therapy. Similarly, Internet-based health information is gradually being regarded as a key ingredient for advancing world health - once its reliability is assured.
The delivery of correct information via the Internet is currently the most efficient way for healthcare professionals and consumers alike.
In addition, wireless access to the Internet has created the potential for a new surge in Internet growth.
Technological progress will maintain its searing pace, and 2001 will be the year when mobile access devices truly hit their stride, noted an IT manager. This more so in Asia where speedy Web phones are about to maker their debut (Computimes, March 1).
Third-generation mobile phones will in fact be handheld computers, capable of making phone calls and sending e-mail. Unlike today's wireless phones, handsets using latest technology will be able to play news and movies through streaming video as well.
These advances augur well for countries like Malaysia, where sources of health information has been limited for a long time. But we many not be able to reap the full advantage if the digital divide continue to be glaringly wide. Secondly, attitudes towards health information among both the professionals and consumers remains in a dismal state.
Even today, information is not considered important in approaching wellness. If it is, then the information is often generic in nature - one size fits all - and it is up to the individual to decipher his/her own needs.
For others, especially among professionals, the archaic mentality that information is power presents and even greater problem, because of their unwillingness to share.
Needless to say there is always the issue of the all-too-willing charlatans, who provide information for their own business interest rather than that of the patient.
But the Internet can change this scenario. There are indications that consumers are accessing carefully vetted health information provided by many non-profit professional health organisation.
It is therefore expected that healthcare providers would systematically offer individualised services to consumers as part of total health therapy - including customised information.
Malaysia's own MSC flagship on tele-health is attempting to do just this, especially in matters relating to medication. In this area the provision of complete, scientific information is regarded as the professional benchmark - whether is the form of drug labels or verbal communications.
The latter, often called "drug counselling", involves a series of processes that ensures patients fully understand the intended use of the medication. This is turn will ensure their willingness to "comply" with instructions on proper use. This, in short, is a form of information therapy closely intertwined with the drug therapy practised routinely.
This would not only help patients recover better and quicker, it will also cut down wastage that could amount to millions for the chronically ill.
The bottom line is, information therapy needs to be given its proper place in the current healthcare setting, if health is to be promoted in a big way.
