Abstract
The wide distribution and availability of the internet during the last decades revolutionized the human information and communication behavior. Via internet, information can be easily retrieved and participative applications allow new types of interaction. The healthcare system is directly affected because information and communication represent a relevant part of it. The present contribution is intended to describe this development and its impact on otorhinolaryngology. The use of the internet for the research of health-related information is continuously increasing since several years and has meanwhile achieved significant importance. In the clinical context, other information sources still have a higher relevance. Laypeople mostly use the search engine of Google when performing health-related research. Even if the reliability of the presented information is difficult to assess, alternative offers that are specialized on valid healthcare information could not prevail. Anecdotic or incorrect information are regularly observed. Numerous trials investigated the quality of healthcare information on web pages. The methodical spectrum reaches from formula-depending readability testing via structured assessment tools up to certificates. The result shows that healthcare information on internet sites is often difficult to understand for the general population. Nearly all social media contain healthcare information and their relevance is increasing. Nonetheless, there is only few scientific knowledge on the characteristics and the effect of healthcare information in social -media. The availability of online healthcare information requires new understanding of health literacy. The concept of digital literacy (eHealth literacy) contains among others the readability, media competence, IT knowledge, and basic scientific knowledge. The implementation of those skills depends on individual and social factors such as education, socio-economic status, and age. Investigations revealed a low healthcare literacy in a high percentage of the patients. The distribution of the internet also modifies the relationship between physician and patient. Well-informed patients request being involved in medical decisions. Physicians have a particular responsibility regarding the consultation of medical laypeople by weighting and verifying information. By actively participating, physicians should contribute to digitization in medicine for the benefit of their patients. Medical associations are particularly invited to contribute to this process.
| Dokumententyp: | Zeitschriftenartikel |
|---|---|
| Fakultät: | Medizin |
| Themengebiete: | 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit |
| ISSN: | 0935-8943 |
| Sprache: | Deutsch |
| Dokumenten ID: | 80313 |
| Datum der Veröffentlichung auf Open Access LMU: | 15. Dez. 2021, 14:52 |
| Letzte Änderungen: | 15. Dez. 2021, 14:52 |
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