(Advance - Merion) Internet availability is as commonplace as the television in our homes. Almost everyone with a computer lives in an area that provides Internet access. You can't miss the advertisements from national and local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) boasting fast connections and economical pricing plans. Today, cable companies, phone companies and other providers such as America Online (AOL) are competing us to connect.


Ease of access to Internet means more and more consumers are getting online. In 1998, nearly 18 million people surfed the Internet for health-related products and services. Explosive growth in health care Internet connectivity is predicted for 2000. (Yes it's happening now!) It is estimated that by 2001, 30 million people will be using the Internet for a variety of health care needs.1 What does the explosive growth mean to this industry and to the health information management (HIM) professional?


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