Is a consultation needed?

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Abstract
Introduction People with health concerns no longer have to become patients by consulting a health professional. Electronic health (eHealth) tools provide access to many resources that may satisfy their requirements. This article describes ways that patients can investigate health issues before, or instead of, a consultation. Ms Amulya Patel is a 48 year old accountant whose mother has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Ms Patel wonders about her own level of risk, and uses the internet to search for patient resources As a professional, Ms Patel (see box opposite) can access health resources on the internet at work and at home. She may subscribe to a mobile internet service provider through her telephone or palmtop computer. Internet access is not restricted to affluent people in western societies. In the United Kingdom, the 2003 national statistics omnibus survey showed that 48% of households have home internet access, and the figures from the United States are even higher (60% of households have access). Internet cafes can be found worldwide, and library services often provide time online for free. The public can pay for “push technologies” from publishers that supply health alerts, but most people search for the information they need. View larger version: In this window In a new window Google search results for “breast cancer and family”