Use Of Online Social Networks To Discuss Medical Conditions Increasing
January 4, 2007 – 11:23 am | posted in IT / Internet / E-mail, Public HealthTwo newspapers recently published articles addressing the increased use of online social networking for health care. Summaries appear below.
- Philadelphia Inquirer: People with cancer and other illnesses are forming “unprecedented networks of connection, news and potentially lifesaving details” through online journals, blogs and discussion boards, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Such “intimate yet informal” support groups offer an opportunity for people with serious illnesses to gain insights into others’ experiences and receive information that physicians might not be able to provide, according to the Inquirer. Researchers say communicating directly with people who have similar diseases can significantly improve the quality of life for seriously ill people (Wagh, Philadelphia Inquirer, 12/25/06).
- Wall Street Journal: Social-networking technology is allowing advocacy groups, health care providers and government agencies to provide consumers with updated health information and deliver personalized health awareness messages, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the Journal, increased use of social networking and health care blogging has led to the beginning of a movement to establish standards and guidelines for “open media” in health care (Landro, Wall Street Journal, 12/27/06).
“Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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