The internet as a tool for patient-centered care in transplantation.

The Internet is a popular communication tool that plays a significant role in patient-centered care. It is argued that a driving force for the demand for online health information is the paucity of information easily obtained from traditional channels. As the quality of medical information available on the Internet is variable, and the quantity is constantly increasing and changing, there is a need for rigorous assessment of quality and effectiveness of health Web sites, and the Internet-based health care support services for different fields of medicine. On one hand, Internet-based patient support tools and Web sites have been used successfully in managing patients with different illnesses like lung transplant, vascular surgery, and treating diabetes mellitus - but on the other hand, other studies have shown that a majority of Web sites providing information on kidney and liver transplant are of poor quality and need overhauling. In the modern world, where e-technology has become common place, patients deserve e-services that are informative, trustworthy, and useful. It is not only a challenge, but also the responsibility of clinicians to make this happen.