The Original ePatient

            An ePatient is an individual that attempts to get involved in his clinical care by gaining information, seeking support, and gaining advice about their medical condition through various sources including the internet. In a broader description of an ePatient, involves a person who tries to get clinical care on behalf of a family member or a friend. The characteristics of these individuals are defined based on their healthcare decisions and their general health, which includes 'e'nabled meaning that they have the power and ability to take part in their health care and 'e'lectronic meaning they can use the websites (Puspitasari & Firdauzy, 2019). 'E'qual in ePatient means that the individuals feel that they serve as equal partners with the clinician in terms of making the best decisions and participating in their clinical care. ePatients get involved in their clinical care through technologies and electronic communication searching tools, such as the internet.

            Today, the ePatient individuals can still be meaningful since they are educated, electronic, and empowered in terms of matters relating to health. They are active participants concerning their healthcare through a partnership with their healthcare practitioners. Therefore, they are significantly considered important in curing the body's ills via extensive caring for their health. Patient participation in the improvement of their health is seen as a comprehensive factor that will significantly improve their outcomes. ePatients have emerged and their popularity has been recognized and evolving due to their past political and technological pieces given rise to electronic empowerment (Nelson, 2018). The prediction of the future of the ePatients is determined by how the individuals use the web, which can help them get clinical treatment faster, enhancing better communication with the healthcare practitioners, and having clear insights on their own medications. There are some payers and providers that are at the forefront to transform today's medical industry. The individuals are advocating on the practices associated with ePatient involving the new insights, innovations, and new strategies (Riggare, 2020).