Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, California.
Although health care has lagged behind other industries in adopting online services, consumers will embrace online tools such as obtaining results of lab tests, scheduling appointments, and doctor-patient e-mail. Many challenges in using health care technology faced by small and midsize medical practices can be overcome by examining how Kaiser Permanente and other large integrated health systems handle the same problems. Collaboration among providers, combined with government support, will help advance widespread consumer adoption of online health care.