E-health: transforming the physician/patient relationship.
Healthcare delivery is being transformed by advances in e-health and by the empowered, computer-literate public. Ready to become partners in their own health and to take advantage of online processes, health portals, and physician web pages and e-mail, this new breed of consumer is slowly redefining the physician/patient relationship. Such changes can effect positive results like improved clinical decision-making, increased efficiency, and strengthened communication between physicians and patients. First, however, physicians and the organizations that support them must fully understand their role in the e-health revolution. Both must advance their awareness of the new consumers and their needs and define specific action items that will help them realize the benefits of e-health. Through a combination of timely research and advice, this article will aid them in fulfilling both tasks.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 5706 Coley Court, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA. marionball@earthlink.net
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D003657:Decision Making; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations