Medicus, Vol. 19 No. 1_Adolescencija_2, 2010.
Review article
A More Reliable Source of Medical Information – Physicians or Internet?
Ivana Klinar
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Adela Kolumbić Lakoš
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Dražen Kovačić
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Azijada Srkalović-Imširagić
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Carmen Hadžić-Kostrenčić
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Maja Gašparić
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Gordan Maleković
; Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o.
Abstract
As a large number of Internet users searches for answers to numerous health questions, the portals with advice on healthy lifestyles and medical contents are becoming increasingly popular. Internet pages containing medical information must comply with the relevant quality criteria defined by the UN and with the 8 HON Code of Conduct principles, i.e. transparency, trustworthiness, privacy and data protection, up-dated information, advertising, accountability and accessibility. Internet communications between physicians and patients are very complex. The presented information should comply with quality criteria and be updated and trustworthy, while complying with ethical principles and protecting privacy of patients. Although many papers emphasize positive effects of the Internet, its impact on changes in health habits and the entire healthcare system is yet to be investigated. Patients first browse the Internet searching for information on their symptoms and diseases, and then visit physicians to discuss their health problems and thus make an easier decision on their treatment. However, a competent healthcare provider keeps the leading and irreplaceable role in making right decisions on treatment and rehabilitation. Healthcare providers, and especially physicians and pharmacists, are the best source of information for patients and their role is to advise patients where to look for high quality information on the Internet.
Keywords
Internet; patient – physician communication; health portals
Hrčak ID:
60297
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2010.
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