Consumer health informatics represents a diverse field devoted to the development, implementation, and research on telecommunication and computer applications designed for consumers to access information on a wide variety of health care topics.

This technology, both hardware and software, is part of a growing trend toward empowering consumers to take a more active role in their own health care and to provide the necessary information to enhance their decision making.

Research indicates that access to health information enables patients to be more active participants in the treatment process, which can lead to better medical outcomes.

This article covers the technology advances, the computer programs that are currently available, and the basic research that addresses both the effectiveness of computer health informatics and its impact on the future direction of health care.