Internet & e-Health

E-Health is the use of emerging information and communication technology, especially the Internet, to access and apply health information and health care. Since the rise of the Internet in the early 1990s, the e-Health industry and accessing health information and services on the Internet has sustained enormous growth, giving people access to the largest volume of health information in history.

Studies show that almost 90% of adults have used the Internet to look for health information.

The significance of this trend supports the economic rationale and convenience of improving home healthcare through the use of e-health.

Although many e-health applications have improved the quality of health care, accessing health information and care through the Internet does have its drawbacks. Online resources such as WebMD and various social media options represent a huge source of health information in the U.S. This gives the average person access to health information without the medical expertise or scientific training to interpret much of the information. Other downsides include the dangers of misinformation, the Internet un-savvy missing out, and privacy and ethical issues related to online discussions and chat groups.