COVID-19 and Digital Health: Evolution, Perspectives and Opportunities

Abstract

Health Communication is key to establishing an empathic relationship between health professionals and their patients. Indeed, the ability to motivate and reassure the patient often determines the success of the therapies proposed. In the past, the relationship between health professionals and patients was centred on treatment and assistance, and health information came in the form of education campaigns based on signage (large posters, etc.). Subsequently, social and cultural changes gave rise to new ways of communicating science: from signage to magazines and television programmes devoted to health issues, through the use of social networks. In particular, fast and cheap access to the Internet and the vast number of app users have made the Web an effective communication tool. Given the potential of technology in the information-seeking process, the use of online channels by health institutions is a valuable tool for divulging medical and scientific knowledge. As a consequence, prompted by the need to provide fast and reliable information to the population, public institutions have adopted such innovative methods as the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to convey health-related content. This practice, known as digital health or e-health, provides healthcare information using digital tools (e.g., Websites and social networks), delivered in an easy-to-understand language in order to reach various population groups and bring about better health conditions for all, hence the importance of acquiring and reinforcing communication skills in the healthcare field, where correct and effective communication immediately translates into a benefit for the professionals themselves and for their patients.

Keywords: digital health; e-health; health literacy; information and communication technologies.