The Internet has changed the patient-physician relationship but may actually help that relationship become more equally balanced in terms of information flow.
Physicians need to help surrogate decision makers to make treatment and end-of-life decisions for those with severe neurological damage by proving a realistic prognosis and maintain strong lines of communication.
Physicians can help choose technological tools to enhance end-of-life care if they carefully and specifically tailor the tools to the comfort levels and needs of each patient.
Media stories about individual cases of human suffering encourage society to bring health care to geographically remote areas by investing in telemedicine technologies.