Need to adapt health communication processes to relational Network Society. New relational forms between healthcare professionals and patients.

Abstract

Therapeutic communication and aid relationship between healthcare professionals and patients requires adaptation process to the new scenario of the so-called e- Health, which does not involve the rejection of interpersonal communication and direct human relationship. It involves harnessing the potential ICT, thus expanding the possibilities of social interaction that helps to promote the citizen health empowerment. This paper presents an exploratory study based on literature review, with case studies, to identify felt needs and perceived needs on health communication and its adaptation to Network Society, taking in consideration primarily for professional and patient relationships emerging in this new context of e -Health.