Social networking and the use of health-related information

As the web has evolved from Web 1.0 model to 2.0, 3.0 models different services occur. Healthcare 2.0 is defined as the use of social networks to promote collaboration between patients, health professionals, medical professionals and others in health care. In Romania, the social network users have on average 3 active accounts on different websites where they spend between 30 and 120 minutes daily. There is few data about their online behavior. The study investigates through a questionnaire the habits of subjects as consumers of health services in the online environment. The study showed that the most important sources for medical information are the doctor and the Internet. The information searched online is related to a specific disease, a drug or patient information leaflet, a treatment or procedure in a hospital or a private practice. The information is sought on medical websites, collaborative projects websites or forums.