12Dec
We kindly invite you to read the latest edition of our Scientific Journal. This time the whole issue is devoted to the computerization of health care. The issues discussed are particularly interesting in the view of the institutional changes and reforms in the healthcare system.
Cyberchondria is defined as abnormal behaviour characterised by uncontrolled accessing health-related information available online resulting in distress and anxiety. People suffering from cyberchondria escalate their fear about possible severe medical consequences even in the presence of mild symptoms. Further, they fall into a vicious circle of anxiety and repeated search activities on the Internet in order to self-diagnose their medical conditions. The dimensions of cyberchondria in the society are not fully understood. The use of health-related information available online may have positive effect on health awareness and the ability of efficient use of healthcare resources. Although, the concept of health and e health literacy are known at least from about 20 years, their role in the development of cyberchondria has not been studied thoroughly. There are expectations that they could exert a protective effect, but this needs to be confirmed.
The progress in the transformation of paper-based medical records into their electronic form that results from legal regulations and organizational changes is a challenge to healthcare entities. Controls show that medical institutions make numerous mistakes, which may lead to cyber threat. Moreover, new (for the health sector) technological solutions are being developed such as trust services or registered electronic delivery, which improve the operations of the healthcare information system but require adaptation both on the part of the legislator and the medical entities themselves.
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