What Is Consumer Health Informatics?
The term “consumer health informatics” refers to computer-based medical information made available to patients over the Internet. Students of medicine, public health and healthcare-related information technology often take courses in the field during college.FunctionThe purpose of consumer health informatics is to provide patients with accurate information about health care conditions, including causes, symptoms, treatment options and prevention.TypesConsumer health informatics most commonly involves Internet websites, but may also include emailed bulletins or fact sheets, social media postings from health care providers or online message boards or forums.SourcesSources of consumer health informatics include hospitals, universities, physicians, government agencies, nonprofit groups and health insurance companies.DevelopmentHealthcare providers and other organizations may hire professionals to develop content and new methods of delivery for consumer health informatics. The process invol
