title: Networking a need: a cost-effective approach to statewide health information delivery.
abstract: VTMEDNET is the health information network for the state of Vermont. In response to a needs assessment of rural health care providers, it supports e-mail, access to knowledge-bases, and the ability to request library services for health care providers across the state, regardless of their location or affiliation. For Fletcher Allen Health Care affiliates, it also supports access to in-patient hospital records. Two thirds of the state's physicians are using the network as well as many other health care providers, and, with minimal cost, it has begun to meet its goal of improving health care delivery to many of Vermont's citizens.
authors.affiliation: Vermont Initiative for Rural Health Informatics and Telemedicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michl
mesh_terms: D001292:Attitude to Computers; D019058:Community Networks / Q000191:economics*; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D007255:Information Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007256:Information Systems / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009726:Nurses; D009862:Online Systems; D010820:Physicians; D012040:Regional Health Planning; D014707:Vermont