Theme 3

About the information that is available always and everywhere in our present society.

Information is available always and everywhere. Internet provides more information about possible diagnoses than all medical manuals put together and, furthermore, it is more up-to-date. And if we cannot find a solution ourselves, we can consult an e-nurse or upload a photo of a suspect patch to an e-dermatologist (who will react immediately, what’s more!). Naturally, we first quickly check the professional reputation of the particular care provider on the Internet. And how about physicians themselves? Doesn’t the case history belong to the 20th century? Isn’t it true that all relevant information can be found on Twitter and Facebook? That mountain of information is a blessing for investigators; the road to individualised health care stretches out before us!

But what are the consequences for health care of all that information? Is the privacy of a patient still guaranteed? What are the advantages and disadvantages once he or she gets to the consulting room for a patient who has been informed via the Internet? Can we do something with all the research information that has become available? Can physicians still see the wood for the trees or can they only function thanks to the electronic decision-making instruments? Do we want to put health care providers in digital pillory? Furthermore, what does e-health really mean for cross-border health care?