Press Releases

RESEARCH REVEALS PHYSICIANS ARE NOT TECHNOPHOBES: 50 PERCENT ACCESS INTERNET DAILY FOR PERSONAL USE webVisit™ Addresses Physicians' Concerns About Patient Privacy and Security -- Provides Online Revenue-Generating Service for Physicians

Alameda, CA, and New York, Dec. 5, 2000 -- Results of a Cyber Dialogue/Deloitte study released today titled, "Taking the Pulse: Physicians and the Internet," show that although physicians are perceived as "technophobes," 50 percent of U.S. physicians access the Internet on a daily basis for personal use, and 90 percent of all physicians have accessed the Internet this year. However, physicians have been slow in adopting online doctor-patient communication in a professional setting due to privacy, security, liability, workflow, and reimbursement concerns, despite the fact that many patients are demanding online access to their doctors.

At eHealthcare World held in New York City this week, Giovanni Colella, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Healinx Corporation, is introducing the webVisit: a secure, encrypted, clinically structured, online communication service between patients and their physicians. The webVisit® counters physician concerns about privacy, security, and liability of e-mail. webVisit® is designed for follow-up, preventive and non-urgent care. Healinx currently is engaged in several payor/employer-sponsored studies that measure the efficiency, access to care, and patient satisfaction the webVisit® achieves.

"The Cyber Dialogue/Deloitte study's most interesting finding is that despite physician concerns, a staggering 21 percent of U.S. physicians are responding to consumer demand and communicating via e-mail with their patients," said Dr. Colella. "Cyber Dialogue also identified that 12 million consumers would switch from their current physician to a doctor willing to engage in online clinical doctor-patient communication. These results demonstrate that doctor-patient connectivity systems like Healinx hold e-health's greatest promise."

Kathryn Hallsten, MD, director of the Menlo Health and Wellness Program, Menlo Park, Calif., partnered with Healinx to give her patients a secure, online communication system that enables them to access her office 24 hours a day. Using the Healinx application, patients can conduct a webVisit, receive prescriptions and renewals, schedule appointments, review their medical profiles, and receive individualized healthcare information online:

"I'm very pleased with how well the Healinx system is integrating into my practice," said Dr. Hallsten. "Many of my patients have been waiting for online communication with their doctors. This is a powerful new tool that is attractive because it is simple to implement, simple to use, and is free to us."

A webVisit® is initiated by the patient who describes his or her symptoms using a "Smart Symptom Wizard." The wizard is an algorithm-driven interview that translates the patient's communication of symptoms into a complete, concise, clinically intelligent message for the physician. Using the webVisit, physicians can provide medical advice and send electronic prescriptions to patients. Should the patient present an emergency condition, he or she is advised to seek emergency services.

About Healinx
Healinx Corporation is the premier provider of Web-based, doctor-patient communication services. The Healinx system enables secure, clinically structured, and auditable communications between doctors and patients. Healinx earned this position by using state-of-the-art technology, strategic relationships, and a unique understanding of the needs of doctors and consumers. Healinx helps doctors address their need to recoup income while providing efficient, secure online services to their patients. At the same time, Healinx offers patients convenience and access -- the convenience of communicating directly with their physicians at anytime from anyplace. By streamlining the doctor-patient relationship, Healinx enables payers to improve member satisfaction and retention and reduce their exposure to rising healthcare costs. For information, visit www.relayhealth.com.