Health-related message boards/chat rooms on the web: discussion content and implications for pharmaceutical sponsorships
Abstract
This content analysis study examined health-related message boards to better understand who is using this on-line health information and support device and what topics they are discussing. Besides needing to understand this support and coping mechanism for individuals, this has become an increasingly important topic for health communicators to understand because the Health and Human Services' (HHS) Inspector General recently gave permission to a pharmaceutical manufacturer for sponsorship of a disease management chat room. Very little research has been done on the content of these message boards/chat rooms. Key findings include that the most commonly discussed medical topics were medical treatments and drugs (often specific brands) and that these boards are clearly important sources of information and emotional support. Implication and future research are discussed.
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Approximately 25% of individuals turn to social media sites for health information.
“Although search engines and medical Websites are the most popular starting points for online health information, approximately 25% of individuals also turn to social media sites.[1,3,9]”
From Perceived healthcare provider reactions to patient and caregiver use of online health communities (2014) · cites this paper as [9]
Online health communities are the most robust social media sources for peer-generated health information.
“Online health communities (OHCs)—Internet-based discussion forums where individuals converse with one another about health topics—are the most robust social media sources for peer-generated health information.[9–12]”
From Perceived healthcare provider reactions to patient and caregiver use of online health communities (2014) · cites this paper as [9]
Treatments and medications are the most common online health community discussion topics.
“Although treatments and medications are the most common OHC discussion topics, individuals also share experiences related to health insurance, HCP satisfaction, and self-care activities.[9, 13]”
From Perceived healthcare provider reactions to patient and caregiver use of online health communities (2014) · cites this paper as [9]
Individuals also share online health community experiences related to health insurance, healthcare provider satisfaction, and self-care activities.
“Although treatments and medications are the most common OHC discussion topics, individuals also share experiences related to health insurance, HCP satisfaction, and self-care activities.[9, 13]”
From Perceived healthcare provider reactions to patient and caregiver use of online health communities (2014) · cites this paper as [9]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Macias, W., Lewis, L. S., & Smith, T. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Georgia (US)
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Benedict College (US)
- ORCID
- Macias, Wendy
- Venue
- Journal of Health Communication
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-04
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 209-223
- ISSN
- 1081-0730 (ISSN-L)
- 1087-0415
- OpenAlex
- W2029918604
- Cited by
- 70
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.90
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Health Communication (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
- Keywords
- online message boards, chat rooms, health information seeking, pharmaceutical industry sponsorship, disease management, emotional support, online health communities, drug brand names, health communication
- MeSH terms
- Drug Industry, Emotions, Female, Humans, Information Services, Male, Research, Internet
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