Internet is now an important source of scientific and health information. New information and communication technologies have led to the Internet's becoming a mass media and a tool for knowledge translation. The Internet allows consumers to access health information and the online health services on offer easily.


Websites related to health have grown exponentially and are to be found among the most popular. The very characteristics of the Internet, such as its low cost, easy global, democratic and anonymous access to information, its rapid transmission and time-saving, aid and ease use and access to content, editing and the establishing of a framework to enhance interactivity.


The first article in this section stresses the trends in the use of the Internet as a source of information on health, whereas the two articles that follow it analyse the Webpacientes.org and Fisterrasalud initiatives. These three articles are as follows:


- "Trends in the use of the Internet as a source of information on health", by Jaime Jiménez Pernett, José Francisco García, José Luis Martín and Clara Bermúdez.


- "Webpacientes.org, an online experience in e-health education and information", by Giovanna Gabriele Muñiz, Laura Fernández, Enric Pineda and Joan Moreno.


- "FisterraSalud: a portal for patients", by M.ª Pilar Farjas and Joaquín Serrano.