Pennsylvania's hospitals and doctors will benefit from high-speed Internet access

Pennsylvania is looking to improve high-speed Internet access to the states medical community, according to Medical News Today.

Approximately 7,500 physicians in the state have dial-up Internet, or no Internet access at all, according to PA Medical Society president Mark Piasio, MD, MBA. Piasio said that online tools are opening new doors for medical care. Piasio said:

"If more of our state's doctors used technologies like electronic medical records and electronic prescribing systems, the Pennsylvania Medical Society believes health care would improve in our state. However, as a first step, physicians need to get high-speed Internet access in their practices."

Piasio pointed to telemedicine, web-based training, and sharing of medical information as other potential uses of high-speed Internet.

The state's Department of Community and Economic Development agrees. The Medical Society is the recipient of a $300,000 from the Department to study Internet access at hospitals and physicians' offices. The study will be assisted by Harrisburg’s Affinity Group, a consulting firm that has also examined Internet access in schools.

Piasio said that the study is just a start:

"This project begins by determining the areas of the state where physicians are least likely to use broadband in their practices," he said. "With that information we will know where to begin, what is needed, and how much work is ahead of us."

The state has a real interest in ensuring that medical facilities for its citizens are up-to-date. It’s encouraging to see Pennsylvania taking part.

Medical News Today

Pennsylvania Medical Society