[Physician-patient relations in the age of information technology]

Even in the age of information technology, trust is very important in the relationship between doctors and patients. Case history, personal talks and examinations are absolutely necessary. Telemedicine in the sense of consulting can be considered in special cases and in emergencies. A medical treatment and a consultation based on communication media or computer communication network only is until now forbidden. After critical examinations, electronic and telematics can be used in the sense of economic advantages. In no cases telemedicine should be introduced only because of obligations and the purpose of an apparent progress in all fields of the health care system. Information regarding medical subjects that is gathered anonymously or in the Internet can only lead to a harmful superficial knowledge of the patient.