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 The Internet was created in the 1970’s by the Pentagon.  It was designed to be used as an alternate means of communication during wartime.  The Internet has been noted as the most important communications development for the past 500 years.  Over a four year period the internet went from 3 million users to over 100 million users. (94’-98’) This is a picture of one of the first computers. This is a picture of one of the newest computers.

 Many Hospitals have been keeping and improving electronic patient records for a number of years.  Patients can’t move their records electronically on/using the Internet just yet but it’s probable to happen soon.  Many doctors support the idea of patients accessing their medical records.

Pros  There’s easy access to your medical records in case of emergencies.  A survey was taken and 72%, said they where in favor of a nationwide electronic information exchange.  The new online medical record keeping service is encouraged by the Bush administration, arguing electronic files are the new thing and easier to manage. Cons  There really isn’t a way to no for sure if hackers will be able to breach the security.  Out of a percentage that are in favor of the online medical service, 79% say that making sure their private information is kept private, unless given permission, is a main priority.  The US government heavenly insists privacy policies of medical records, but is broken regularly.  5,000 hackings at the University of Washington. Matt Holt, a San Francisco health consultant and author of the Health care Blog said, “Far more people die because health information is not released or difficult to get…than anybody’s ever been harmed because the information has been inadvertently released.”

 Microsoft Corporation has already launched their version of medical filing, called HealthVault.HealthVault  Google seems to be the most talked about new internet service offering Google Health. There is a pilot program set up between Google and the Cleveland Clinic to test it out before it will be publicly available. What Makes Google Health So Special???  Its said Google Health will protect the privacy of your health information by giving you complete control over your data, and won't sell or share your data without your explicit permission. The Internet presence ultimately means that through Google Health, you will be able to have access and control over your health data from anywhere. What Will It Look Like? Sample Screens

 Colliver, V. (2008). “Google’s medical records system getting checkup: 10,000 patients in Midwest eligible to try out service for strong, transferring health data.” The San Fransisco Chronicle. Retrieved 17 March 2008 from  Graber, M. A., (2002, March), “Surf’s Up! Protecting the Privacy of health information on the Internet: We need new privacy laws and better encryption of information.” The Western Journal of Medicine, 176(2),  Kennedy, P., Clancy, C., & Gingrich, N. (2005). “Americans support online personal health records; patient privacy and control over their own information are crucial to acceptance.” Press Center 2005 Press Releases. Retrieved October 11,  Kerr, K. (2008). “Online health records raise privacy worries.” The Seattle Times.  Thibodeau, P. (2008, Feb. 18). “The Grill: Marc Rotenberg.” Computerworld (Framingham), 42(8), 19(2).  valleywag.com/.../2007/08/healthcare.png   (Nov. 6, 1998) “Internet Privacy” CQ Researcher, 8(41)