The integration of internet technology into the healthcare industry throughout the Asian Pacific region has allowed direct interaction with customers, widespread sharing of information and the creation of new business relationships, according to San Jose-based market research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Adam Chee, Frost & Sullivan program manager for healthcare IT, said Internet utilization by healthcare facilities in the Asia Pacific region falls into four areas: healthcare research, education, healthcare delivery, and financial and administrative transactions.

The company said that although the benefits of integrating the Internet into the healthcare industry are numerous, it cautions that there are technical, organizational, and policy issues that need to be addressed. Despite that, Chee noted that with the fast growing demand for the use of the Internet, the positive impacts to be generated for the healthcare industry in Asia look promising.