Internet and education for the patient

Author(s)

Bastos, Barbara Guimaraes ; Ferrari, Deborah Viviane

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY; v. 15, n. 4, p. 8-pg., 2011-10-01.

Abstract

Introduction: The process of education of a patient aims to improve knowledge and skill of the patient and/or family, in a way to influence attitudes and behaviors needed to maintain or improve health. Must be a integral part of interpersonal communication between health professionals and patients, and this can happen through interpersonal communication and various other means such as pamphlets, manuals and, more recently, computer resources. Goal: This update article approach the patient education and the internet potential for this process, still presenting some initiatives in the audiology area. Discussion: The informations, related to health are popular in the internet, and include interactive websites, portals, e-mails, telehealth aplications, and others. The education of the patients supported by the internet can help to solve a big ethical, political and economic issue: the problem to conciliate the needs and the expectations of the patients with the characteristics and limitations of the health system. Although the use of internet in the education of the patient is promising, this is not a solution to be used without careful planning, monitoring and evaluation. In audiology there are few initiatives with the use of e-mails and websites for complement of the patient education. Final Considerations: The health professionals, including the speech therapists, must check if their patients use internet resources, recognize that behavior change and prepare not only to discuss the information obtained with the patient, but also suggest websites with reliable information and help them to evaluate the quality of the information available online. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/07963-0 - Telehealth: evaluation of a website as a counseling support tool for parents of children fitted with hearing aids
• Grantee: Bárbara Guimarães Bastos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master