Character of Domain and Organization of Book

Abstract

This chapter mainly introduces the structure and purpose of the volume. Consumer Health Informatics involves methods and results from various disciplines: sciences, humanities, medicine, engineering, mainly ICT. Here Consumer Health Informatics is regarded as a set of services to enable the patient to safely play a more active role in his health care. The scientific literature is widely scattered. Consumer Health Informatics ranges from instantaneous advice seeking to lifelong coaching, from small chunks of information to deeply intrusive treatments. Methods to support this range, helpful devices, and how the added value and safety of services can be determined and assessed ethically are outlined. Alternative viewpoints are briefly introduced.