The amount of information available on the Internet is staggering. It's like being in the world's largest library, with all the world's knowledge at your fingertips, with the added benefit of being able to communicate with anyone, anywhere on the planet who is also plugged in.
Cyberspace is an appropriate term for the Internet. As you access the vast array of networks that comprise the Internet and the near endless choice of web sites, it's a bit like the feeling you get when gazing into the night sky and contemplating the myriad of stars and the vastness of space.
While what is available today online is mind-boggling, it will pale in comparison to the Internet a few years down the line. The world is ready for much more, and it's coming fast!
It's not a fluke that over 35 million people are today accessing the Internet. It's an empowerment. The Internet allows you to access volumes of information unavailable or difficult and time consuming to find.
What are the consequences for chiropractic and health care? You may be surprised to learn that a recent study by the New York-based FIND/SVP revealed that 38 percent of all Internet users are seeking health care information.1
Let's do the math. Thirty-five million people on the Internet x 38% looking for health care information = 13.3 million potential patients for chiropractors. What percentage of that 13 million would be interested in learning more about chiropractic?
There are an estimated 20 million chiropractic patients in the United States. Internet exposure could encourage a significant increase to that number.
Effectively delivered information has never been so powerful. The Internet will change the way you do many things over the next few years. With the number of Internet users predicted to be as high as 152 million by the year 2000, it will ultimately impact the way you communicate with patients and the consumer public.
As the chiropractic news source, Dynamic Chiropractic has been presenting you with the most up-to-date information available concerning the chiropractic profession, the state of health care, and anything that could impact your practice. The dawning of the Internet will allow DC's ChiroWeb to broaden our commitment to include information specifically written for potential chiropractic patients.
Throughout 1997, DC will be building ChiroWeb to become the chiropractic information source. As the number of Internet users soars worldwide, they will be introduced to chiropractic and gain a well-informed appreciation of how important chiropractic is to their health. This will be made possible by a communication medium without the restrictions and costs of newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
The goal of DC's ChiroWeb is simple: provide the most accurate, most complete information regarding chiropractic to encourage more people to make it a part of their health regimen. We have the information. If we present it effectively, it will have a significant impact on the health of your community and your practice.
Reference
1. Information Net. Orange County Register, Wednesday, December 4, 1996.
Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h)
Editor/Publisher, Dynamic Chiropractic
Click here for more information about Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher.