| Abstract: | The past decade has been marked by extensive change in the organization of health care delivery systems (the "supply side" of health care). There has been relatively less change in the nature of the health care consumer (the "demand side" of health care). The emergence of the Internet as a consumer health care technology, however, should significantly affect the nature of demand. The Internet will prepare health care consumers to better express and evaluate care against their preferences. This will create additional pressure on--but significant positive opportunity for--ambulatory care and ambulatory care providers. |
