Neurology and the Internet: a review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Digital Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The internet is a primary source for health information, increasingly vital in neurology.
• Online platforms facilitate patient-to-patient interactions and public awareness of neurological conditions.
• Neurologists can leverage online data for patient needs assessment and epidemiological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the internet's impact on neurological disorder healthcare.
• To explore the shift in care paradigm towards patient empowerment.
• To identify limitations of internet-based healthcare in neurology.

Main Methods:

• This is a narrative review.
• Analysis of the internet's role in neurological patient care and information dissemination.
• Discussion of user-generated data and search engine query correlations.

Main Results:

• The internet significantly affects neurological healthcare by increasing patient access to information and peer support.
• Online data correlates with real-world disease prevalence, offering epidemiological insights.
• Healthcare is shifting towards patient-centered models facilitated by digital tools.

Conclusions:

• The internet is transforming neurological care, empowering patients and providing new avenues for research.
• Addressing safety, financial, and accessibility issues is crucial for maximizing benefits.
• The paradigm of neurological care is moving from provider-centric to patient-centric.