Is E-health Progressing Faster Than E-health Researchers?

[This item is a preserved copy and is not necessarily the most recent version. To view the current item, visit http://www.jmir.org/2006/3/e24/ ] : Formal Internet interventions exist in a broad context of diverse online health resources, which share elements in common like information, advice and peer support. However, most online health resources are not created by healthcare professionals. Internet interventions need to be designed to “compete” in that wider context. The democratization of production and distribution is central to the transformative effect of the Internet on society, yet potentially conflicts with healthcare’s need for an evidence base and safe practice. This is a core challenge for healthcare on the Internet