The Internet has affected every aspect of the global health care industry; from the way researchers conduct medical studies to the nature of the doctor-patient relationship. Perhaps its most significant effect has been on how people manage their own health and treatment.
In the past, medical information was the exclusive domain of physicians. Patients depended on physicians to educate them about their conditions and their options and to determine a course of treatment. Today, people use the Internet to access their personal medical records, research treatment options, and compare health care providers. Many sites publicize studies that evaluate the quality of hospitals, physicians, drugs, and treatments. Online psychotherapy and physician consultations are available for those seeking medical opinions at their desktops. Armed with easily accessible information, patients today are active in asking questions and discussing their options. The Web has helped make medical information more comprehensible. Yet it's not only patients who are being empowered by the ability to access medical information online. Health care providers, too, can now more easily find the information they're looking for and stay up-to-date on the most current treatment options through databases of medical articles, journals, and conference summaries available online.
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