Cuidado em saúde na internet: como tudo começou ...

Abstract

In the 2000s, the Internet became popular in Brazil. Internet users also started using it to take care of their health. This new way of interacting needed to be studied. There were no theoretical and/or conceptual references about taking care of your health on the Internet. The research assumption was that the Internet, through the devices it provides, enables people to produce, re-signify and act in different ways to care for and interact with the needs of self-care, care, exchanges between peers and consultation to experts. As a general objective, we intended to understand how health promotion and care developed on the Internet. This objective was achieved through field research, observation and interviews with key informants. Specific objectives were also achieved by identifying empowerment, autonomy, co-responsibility, solidarity and social participation as values and principles of health promotion present in health care on the internet. Empowerment was especially relevant, given that in the health field, empowerment is closely related to information. Medicine and health websites, e-groups and blogs were the devices identified for health care on the Internet, in its beginnings. Interactions on websites were more vertical and supportive with passive reception of information. E-groups and blogs, on the other hand, presented horizontal care or care for oneself and/or others. The latter presented greater empowerment and was a precursor to the expert patient. As health care is widespread, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate the information provided, as the Internet is still a field where untruths are easily spread.