Public Health 2.0: How Web 2.0 Sites Are Used by Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

摘要: Objective: Given the dramatic increase of new interactive features on Internet known as Web 2.0 sites, objective this study was to determine how such member profiles, personal blogs and online social networks were used in virtual communities related type 2 diabetes describe potential differences between ecology model these traditional physical communities.Methods: All original posts replies two discussion forums web enabled recorded for ninety days. Utilization content from publicly available components profile pages a purposive sample 60 members. Content analyzed using qualitative coding techniques. other frequency use among sampled members.Results: 272 3605 generated by participants threads. Discussion forum analysis revealed that food, medication blood glucose levels major themes posts. Replies usually included empathic experiences Group guidance emerged cumulative responses provided community individual with sense normalized behaviors community. Analysis utilization various those who withheld gender information less often than identifying gender. also appeared be dependent design attributes website. 204 blog entries daily struggles members rarely discussed diabetes. more likely include religious expressions empathy love. Strong ties evident providing replies.Discussion Public Health Significance: ability gather disease specific large network individuals salient experiences. Personal facilitated formation strong develop. The combination provides unique opportunity public health practitioners develop comprehensive multifaceted interventions.