Article at a glance:

The case for medical data online

Hospitals, physicians, and patients could all benefit from Web-based clinical-data exchanges that would offer health care providers speedy, accurate information about their patients' diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and insurance. But the financial and logistical barriers are significant and persistent. Since the first movers would have to invest disproportionately in setting up these networks—which would benefit a larger group of doctors, labs, and hospitals—it has proved difficult to organize support for them.

The take-away

Governments and private foundations will probably have to provide leadership and financing if such networks are to become a reality.