title: [The contribution of Web 2.0 technologies to the empowerment of active patients].
abstract: The Spanish health system has recently been marked by the emergence of more active patients who are characterized as being better informed about their disease, having a more participatory attitude, wanting to have a greater influence in making decisions about their health and asserting their rights as patients. Therefore, this article aims to report on how the introduction of Web 2.0 technologies can contribute to the empowering of more active patients. To achieve this, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and representatives of patient associations who have used Web 2.0 technologies to interact with other patients or to communicate with health professionals. From the results obtained, we highlight the fact that Web 2.0 technologies provide greater access to health-related information, improve communication between patients and health professionals, and enable the creation of new spaces of interaction among patients. All of the facts above contribute to the formation of a more active role on the part of patients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psicología Social, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Edificio B, Campus de Bellaterra. 08193 Bellaterra España. m_oliver_m@mac.com.
authors.forename: Martí
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliver-Mora
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psicología Social, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Edificio B, Campus de Bellaterra. 08193 Bellaterra España. m_oliver_m@mac.com.
authors.forename: Lupicinio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iñiguez-Rueda
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D028701:Patient Rights; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D061108:Social Media; D013030:Spain