Online forums and communities relating to health issues

1. Online forums and communities relating to health issues Education side of online health forums Presented by: Kloe Nelson-Cole , 13134124 Emotional effects of online health communities Presented by: Tara O’Sullivan , 13131753 Promotion and awareness of online health communities Presented by: Darragh Duggan ,13156152

2. introduction • Research tools/ methods • Team work • Why we chose this topic

3. Advantages. Communities. Negative Effects. How to Improve. Educational Side

4. Advantages Empowers. Life Experiences. Motivates. http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-happy-laughing-baby-toddler-girl-image18467255

5. Communities Health vs. Illness - Both looking to improve. - Who is more likely to search? - Difference?

6. British Study of 1322 users

7. 97% looked for a specific condition. 14%= in a support group. 10%=emailed a dr. office. 8%= Described to an online Dr. British Study of 1332 Users

8. Inaccurate information. Misunderstand information. Patient and doctor relationship. Health professionals feel threatened. http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-negative-attitude-image15035998 Negative Effects

9. Prepare health professionals for switch (Health Informatics). Do not allow patients to see the internet as a replacement for health professionals. Keep health professional communities , health professional communities (Medscape). How To Improve

10. Emotional Side- Advantages • Anonymity is provided • Support. • Shared Experiences. • Empowering. • http://cdn2.business2community.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/content-strategy-healthcare-communities.jpg

11. Emotional side - Disadvantages • Addiction. • Extreme Communities. • Bullying. • Doctor/Patient Relationship.

12. Overview • Study of 528 patients with breast cancer who took part in online health communities demonstrated “patient empowerment” • 55% indicated that they dared to be more open about their illness. • “being better informed” and “enhanced social well-being”.

13. promotion and awareness of online health communities Awareness and accessibility Media for promotion Popular promotions set up by online health communities

14. Media for promotion of online communities • Blogs eg. http://blog.healingwell.com/ • Facebook • Forums eg. http://ehealthforum.com/

15. Awareness and accessibility • Shortage of information about these communities • Huge awareness within these communities • Sources of access to online communities eg. pinterest

16. Popular promotions set up by communities • Stoptober, set up by the “smokefree” community • Daffodil day, set up by the “Irish cancer society” • Detweetathon,set up in support of “autism Ireland”

17. References Ba,S. ,Wang,L.(2013)”Digital health communities: The effect of their motivation mechanisms Decision Support Systems”, Volume 55, Issue 4, November , Pages 941–947 Cotten,S,R. Gupta,S,S. (2004)''Characteristics of online and offline health I nformation seekers and factors that discriminate between them'' Social Science & Medicine, Volume 59, Issue 9, November , Pages 1795–1806 McMullan,M. (2006) ''Patients using the Internet to obtain health information: How this affects the patient–health professional relationship'' Patient Education and Counseling, Volume 63, Issues 1–2, October , Pages 24–28 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis/ http://www.pinterest.com/restministries/health-communities-online/

18. Conclusion Online communities can create an internet informed user that is catered for in terms of emotional needs but not completely educated in a way of distinguishing between the accurate and inaccurate information. There is potential for growth in this sector of the digital world.