A "Master" on the Web
Methodist Webmaster Helps Patients

Although she is not a caregiver and does not directly treat patients, Erin Skelley influences patient care.

Skelley is Methodist Health Care System's Webmaster, responsible for the group's widely recognized health care Web site. She was first introduced to her trade from a paperback book, where she learned the basics of the Internet world. Now, she runs a Web site that hosts more than 130,000 visitors each month.

"People come to our site with a purpose because they or someone they love has an illness. They are coming during a traumatic time and they need answers," Skelley said.

Prospective patients can learn about their illness or condition in the more than 2,500 pages of health information. They can go to the doctor knowing more about their condition, and can be better prepared to ask questions. Visitors can determine which doctors are suited for them, which are the experts, and how to reach them.

Skelley has also worked hard with a team to bring the latest offering, online registration, to patients. (See related article online.) Her shared vision of a convenient way for patients to schedule procedures at all Methodist facilities, from the comfort of their home or office, is now a reality. For the first time in Houston, patients can schedule hospital procedures, screenings and doctor appointments from their desks, with no need to take time off work.

As a female Webmaster in a predominantly male field, Skelley is used to such challenges. Before coming to Methodist, Skelley worked as advertising manager for the Houston Astros. It was there where she got her start in the Internet industry.

Skelley says the road to her present position was a bumpy one. The first time she posted photos of the Astros, she replaced the May baseball schedule with player Derrick May's face.

"His face took up the entire screen," Skelley said. "My co-workers thought I was trying to be creative."

Skelley is the type of employee who goes above and beyond her duties, and is rewarded for it. She recently received an e-mail message from a Louisiana woman whose father was having surgery at The Methodist Hospital. The woman was desperate for information and didn't know where to start. Skelley found the answers and through e-mail communication, gave the woman what she needed and spared her days on the telephone. The day the woman's father had his surgery, Skelley received flowers from the family.

"I think that's what separates us from other health care Web sites," Skelley said. "Sure, you can get reliable information from a national Web site, but when it comes to responding to a consumer's need, we have the edge. We use something as impersonal as a computer to deliver a meaningful message."

Skelley spends a lot of time helping international patients navigate their way through the system, whether it be finding heart surgeons or hotel rooms.

Skelley said she hopes to contribute to the future of Internet health care, as well.

"Someday," Skelley said, "it will be widespread practice to communicate with your physician, monitor your blood pressure, and retrieve your test results and records all online. In the future, physicians may even be able to prescribe medications online."

Find Methodist Health Care System's Web site at http://www.methodisthealth.com.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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