The information economy is comprised of "a community of digital citizens living in a global network, always connected with the world's information at our fingertips," according to a "The Information Generation Transforming the Future, Today" report from EMC.
The information economy is driven by using data to identify new opportunities, innovative products, transparency, desire for a personalized experience and 24/7 availability. The four big trends of this economy include:
1. Big data. In healthcare big data is being looked at to better understand populations and drive improvements in patient care.
2. Mobile devices. Healthcare is increasingly embracing the mobile world. Patients are using apps to shop for healthcare, connect with providers, manage their health data and more.
3. Social networking. Social networking is reshaping the way consumers behave, according to the report. Healthcare providers are increasingly paying attention to their social media presence to connect with consumers and manage their online reputation.
4. Cloud computing. The cloud is one the biggest trends in healthcare. More and more data is moving to the cloud, and providers are even beginning to consider how to interact with consumers within the cloud.