e-Health Ethics Draft Code (Feb 18).

"Organizations and individuals offering health information, products, or services on the Internet have an obligation to(1) prominently, clearly, and accurately indicate(a) ownership of the site or service(b) the purpose of the site or service(c) how to contact the owner and the party responsible for the site or service(d) any relationship, financial or other, that a reasonable person would believe might influence the user's perception of the information, products, or services offered(2) clearly distinguish advertising from educational or scientific content People who use the Internet for health-related purposes need to be assured that commercial health or medical sites are trustworthy. They have a right to expect that material presented as scientific or educational in nature is accurate, timely, and objective, and to be assured that they will be able to choose, consent, and control when and how they actively engage in a commercial relationship. Thus Health care professionals who practice on the Internet have an obligation to(1) clearly and accurately describe the nature of the online relationship(a) identify themselves, their location, and their professional credentials(b) stress that it is important for patients to identify themselves and describe their health care needs as clearly they can(2) clearly and accurately describe the constraints of online diagnosis and treatment recommendations (for example, that the professional cannot prescribe certain medications online)(3) describe the nature of information being provided (for example, whether based on expert consensus, personal professional judgment, or other sources of evidence)(4) help "e-patients" understand that although not every aspect of health care requires a face-to-face interaction, online consultation should not take the place of an ongoing relationship with a health care provider in every situation [bc](5) clearly disclose any sponsorships, financial incentives, or other information that might affect the professional's role or the services offered(6) clearly disclose how payment for services is to be made"

"Jaak Aru; Wendy Borow-Johnson; Mark Boulding; Allan Bruckheim; Mary Cain; Lynn Cates; Richard Cleland; Stefan J. Darmoni; Mary Jo Deering; Markus Dey; Donna Doneski; Gunther Eysenbach; Ruth Faden; Giles Frydman; Bruce Grant; Bruce Grobe; Jon Grohol; James Harris; John Hoben; Tom Houston; Sam Karp; Paul Keckly; Don Kemper; Murray Kopelow; Alex Langermann; Harry A. Levy; George Lundberg; John Mack; Blackford Middleton; Sandi Mitchell; Sybil Ingram Muhammad; Thomas Murray; Beth Nash; Tim Nater; David Nickelson; John Renner; Roberto Rodrigues; Mark Samuels; Michael H. Samuelson; Michael D. Scott; Denise Silber; Bill Silberg; Loretta Skucas; S. Stuart Spector; Mike Squires; Harry Sweeney; David B. Vance; C. Peter Waegemann"