Abstract

Simonet, Emanuel Nicolas Cortes The Internet has made seeking for health information easy and convenient. This information provides medical knowledge which has the potential to empower both patients and health professionals. However, It is concerning that patients may attempt to use this type of information for self-diagnostic purposes, particularly those who are unfamiliar with medical terminology. Understanding web- based information effectively is most important to enable appropriate and informed healthcare decisions. Consequently, a new role for health professionals is indicated, requiring them to become familiar with the health information available on the Internet, to direct patients to reliable sources, and to assist them in understanding and interpreting web-based health information.