Smartphone platform shows promise as ‘artificial pancreas’ to control diabetes | mobihealthnews
26/09/2013
Facebook is Not Evil Proves People with Diabetes
26/09/2013
Smartphone platform shows promise as ‘artificial pancreas’ to control diabetes | mobihealthnews
26/09/2013
Facebook is Not Evil Proves People with Diabetes
26/09/2013

Facebook as a Platform for Health Information and Communication: A Case Study of a Diabetes Group

Abstract

 

As one of the largest social networking sites in the world, Facebook holds a great potential for promoting health.In this exploratory study, we analyzed 1352 messages posted to an active Facebook diabetes group to identify the characteristics of the group. The results revealed that the group was international in nature. Users overcame language barriers to communicate with people with similar conditions. Users interactions were structured around information, emotion, andcommunity building.
 
They exchanged medical and lifestyleinformation, and highly valued their peers personal experi-ences, opinions, and advice. They also demonstrated a posi-tive attitude toward the reality of living with diabetes andgenerously provided encouragements and affirmations to one another. Great efforts were made to maintain the proper operation of the community by the administrator and a group of cormembers. As a result, the group was shaped as a social network where peer users share social support, cultivate com- panionship, and exert social influence. Based on the results,we discussed future directions for research of health communities in a highly connected world.

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