Document Type : Mini Review

Authors

1 Rheumatology Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

2 Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

3 Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

4 Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah Hospital Research Development Committee, and Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran

5 Department of Health Services Management, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, IR Iran

Abstract

Accessibility to all levels of information technology has experienced rapid progress in recent years, particularly in the health sector. Rapid penetration into this technology has led to changes in lifestyles and changes in the working procedures of institutions. In 2014, the number of Internet users reached 3 billion, and this number is predicted to exceed 8 billion in 2018. Statistics estimate the number of Iranian users of the Internet to be about 45 million. In 2014, more than 80% of Internet users searched for health information. Today, the Internet plays a vital role in providing such health services as education, disease management, support, basic medical treatment decisions, and doctor-patient communication.

Keywords

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