Cited by 129Social Media in Health EducationHealth Literacy and Information AccessibilityMedia and Digital Communication

Diagnosis Blog: Checking Up on Health Blogs in the Blogosphere

Open access
Miller, Edward Alan, Pole, Antoinette·2010·American Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives. We analyzed the content and characteristics of influential health blogs and bloggers to provide a more thorough understanding of the health blogosphere than was previously available. Methods. We identified, through a purposive–snowball approach, 951 health blogs in 2007 and 2008. All blogs were US focused and updated regularly. We described their features, topics, perspectives, and blogger demographics. Results. Approximately half of the bloggers in our sample were employed in the health field. A majority were female, aged in their 30s, and highly educated. Two thirds posted at least weekly; one quarter accepted advertisements. Most blogs were established after 2004. They typically focused on bloggers' experiences with 1 disease or condition or on the personal experiences of health professionals. Half were written from a professional perspective, one third from a patient–consumer perspective, and a few from the perspective of an unpaid caregiver. Conclusions. Data collected from health blogs could be aggregated for large-scale empirical investigations. Future research should assess the quality of the information posted and identify what blog features and elements best reflect adherence to prevailing norms of conduct.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study systematically cataloged 951 influential US health blogs in 2007–2008, describing their features, topics, perspectives, and blogger demographics. It found that health bloggers were mostly female, highly educated, often health professionals, and that most blogs focused on personal experiences with a disease or condition.

Key findings

  • Of 951 blogs, 49.8% of bloggers worked in health professions; 56.8% were female, average age was 35.8 years, and two thirds held a master’s or doctoral degree.
  • Most blogs were established after 2004 (93.5% from 2004–2008); 63.2% posted at least weekly, 12.5% posted daily, and 28.1% accepted commercial advertising.
  • The most common topic was disease/disability experience (42.6%), followed by health policy/law/business (17.1%) and health research/news (15.1%); perspectives were professional (54.3%), patient–consumer (37.7%), and caregiver (8.0%).
  • Among condition-specific blogs, mental health was most prevalent, mostly autism spectrum disorders (26.6%), bipolar disorder (25.5%), or eating disorders (22.9%); reproduction blogs mostly addressed infertility (81.5%), and chronic disease blogs often dealt with diabetes (41.2%).

Methods

  • The authors used a purposive–snowball sampling approach to identify 951 US-focused, English-language health blogs updated at least once in the 6 months before data collection, during June–July 2007 and April–May 2008.
  • The 2007 sample consisted of 622 blogs identified through search engines, blog aggregators, and blogrolls; the 2008 sample added 329 new eligible blogs from Healthcare 100, plus 114 already identified.
  • Data abstraction coded blog features, topics, perspectives, and blogger demographics; most characteristics were identified through cursory review, with deeper examination of multiple posts when needed.

Limitations

  • Stated: the sampling method had inherent bias because no sampling frame existed, so eligible blogs may have been missed; inactive or dead blogs and less widely linked blogs may have been excluded.
  • Stated: the sample was likely biased toward popular, influential blogs, possibly underrepresenting some topics and overrepresenting others; blogs were sampled during a single year, providing only a snapshot.
  • Stated: comprehensive sociodemographic data were unavailable because many bloggers remained anonymous, and self-reported information such as occupation was unverifiable; evident: the study is descriptive and cross-sectional, and the text does not report inter-coder reliability for the subjective coding.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2105/ajph.2009.175125

Cites

61 of 61 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 29 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § DISCUSSION

    Most of these condition-specific blogs were written from a patient-consumer or caregiver perspective.

    “That most of these blogs were written from a patient–consumer or caregiver perspective”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    27.4% of non-health-professional bloggers identified themselves as journalists or writers.

    “More than one quarter (27.4%) of these bloggers identified themselves as journalists or writers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Bloggers' demographic characteristics (gender, age, occupation, education) can be reliably identified from blog content.
  • Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    6.5% of blogs dated from 1999 to 2003.

    “Only 6.5% dated from 1999 to 2003”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Bloggers' demographic characteristics (gender, age, occupation, education) can be reliably identified from blog content.
  • Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Approximately 42.9% of health bloggers were aged 30 to 39 years.

    “approximately half (42.9%) were aged 30 to 39 years.”
    • Also stated in: § RESULTS · plain
      “30–39 42.9 (140)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Bloggers' demographic characteristics (gender, age, occupation, education) can be reliably identified from blog content.
  • Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Among condition-specific blogs, mental health was the most prevalent focus.

    “Among blogs about particular conditions, mental health was the most prevalent focus”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The primary perspective of each blogger can be reliably coded from blog descriptions and posts.
  • May combine two claims. 14
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 27
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    All blogs in the sample were US focused and updated regularly.

    “All blogs were US focused and updated regularly.”
    • Also stated in: § METHODS · plain
      “Eligibility criteria were that the blogs focused predominately on a health-related topic and on the United States, were written in English, and carried a new post at least once during the 6 months prior to data collection.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The sample of 951 blogs is representative of influential health blogs in the United States.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    12% of blogs featured multiple bloggers.

    “Some (12%) of the blogs featured multiple bloggers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Bloggers' demographic characteristics (gender, age, occupation, education) can be reliably identified from blog content.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Health bloggers tend to be younger and better educated than the general population.

    “Like other bloggers—and like people who seek health information on the Internet2,52,53—health bloggers tend to be younger and better educated than the general population.6,7,54”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [6] Technorati.com 2009. State of the blogosphere/2008. Available at: http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere. Accessed May 28, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Lenhart A, Fox S. Bloggers: A Portrait of the Internet's New Storytellers Washington, DC: Pew Internet and American Life Project; 2006 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [54] McKenna L, Pole A. What do bloggers do: an average day on an average political blog. Public Choice 2008;134(1–2):97–108 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § RESULTS

    Although most physician blogs focused on physicians' own experiences, some also discussed other topics such as health policy and law, health research and news.

    “Although most physician blogs focused on physicians' own experiences, some also discussed other topics (health policy and law, health research and news).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The primary perspective of each blogger can be reliably coded from blog descriptions and posts.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § RESULTS

    Some blogs from each perspective were personal (self-focused) and others were informational (outwardly focused).

    “Some blogs from each perspective were personal (self-focused) and others were informational (outwardly focused).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The primary perspective of each blogger can be reliably coded from blog descriptions and posts.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    Health blogs feature typical elements of blogging such as internal and external links, archives, blogrolls, and comment sections.

    “Health blogs feature typical elements of blogging such as internal and external links, archives, blogrolls, and comment sections.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § DISCUSSION

    Nearly half the blogs in our sample were written by health professionals, including a large number of physicians, nurses, and other direct-care workers.

    “Nearly half the blogs in our sample were written by health professionals, including a large number of physicians, nurses, and other direct-care workers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    A high proportion of blogs in our sample focused on mental health, reproduction, HIV/AIDS, and disabilities.

    “The high proportion of blogs focused on mental health, reproduction, HIV/AIDS, and disabilities”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Personal blogging may help patients and caregivers cope with particular diseases and conditions.

    “This may help patients and caregivers cope with particular diseases and conditions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Health blogs written by patient-consumers might prove useful to providers seeking to better understand the mental, emotional, and physical state of people living with specific conditions.

    “Health blogs written by patient–consumers might prove useful to providers seeking to better understand the mental, emotional, and physical state of people living with specific conditions.61”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [61] Hillan J. Physician use of patient-centered weblogs and online journals. Clin Med Res 2003;1(4):333–335 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Women are more likely to coordinate health services for themselves and their families, or they experience greater morbidity and poorer health outcomes, which may explain the higher proportion of women health bloggers.

    “possibly because women are more likely to coordinate health services for themselves and their families or because they experience greater morbidity and poorer health outcomes.55”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [55] Misra D. Women's Health Data Book: A Profile of Women's Health in the United States 3rd ed.Washington, DC: Jacobs Institute of Women's Health; 2001 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § METHODS

    Focusing on the most heavily linked blogs is credible because they are the most widely read and influential.

    “This suggests that scholars need not catalog thousands of blogs but instead can credibly focus on the most heavily linked ones, because they are the most widely read and influential.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [47] Hindman M, Tsioutsiouliklis K, Johnson JA. “Googlearchy”: how a few heavily-linked sites dominate politics on the Web. Paper presented at: Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association; March 31, 2003; Chicago, IL [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § METHODS

    The purposive-snowball sampling approach is appropriate when the absence of a known population renders a truly random sample impossible to construct.

    “This sampling approach is appropriate when the absence of a known population renders a truly random sample impossible to construct.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [45] Patton MQ. Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods, 3rd ed Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2002 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • Rests on an assumption: There is no known population of health blogs, so a truly random sample cannot be constructed.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    These online communities might serve to empower patient-consumers, providing people with the information necessary to care for themselves and bringing more equality to the provider-patient relationship.

    “These online communities might serve to empower patient–consumers, providing people with the information necessary to care for themselves and bringing more equality to the provider–patient relationship.59”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [59] Fox S. Online Health Search Washington, DC: Pew Internet and American Life Project; 2006 [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Blogging might serve to improve the broader public health.

    “Blogging might also serve to improve the broader public health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Blogging's interactive features-blogrolls, links that appear in posts, and comment sections-might be especially well suited to creating virtual support networks.

    “Blogging's interactive features—blogrolls, links that appear in posts, and comment sections—might be especially well suited to creating virtual support networks.8,41”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8] Adams SA. Blog-based applications and health information: two case studies that illustrate important questions from consumer health informatics (CHI) research. Int J Med Inform 2010;79(6):e89–96 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [41] Kovic I, Lulic I, Brumni G. Examining the medical blogosphere: an online survey of medical bloggers. J Med Internet Res 2008;10(3):e28. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Previous research showed that more blogs are written by men than by women.

    “Regarding gender, our findings contrasted with previous research showing that more blogs are written by men than by women.6,7,54”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [6] Technorati.com 2009. State of the blogosphere/2008. Available at: http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere. Accessed May 28, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Lenhart A, Fox S. Bloggers: A Portrait of the Internet's New Storytellers Washington, DC: Pew Internet and American Life Project; 2006 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [54] McKenna L, Pole A. What do bloggers do: an average day on an average political blog. Public Choice 2008;134(1–2):97–108 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Producing personal narratives can increase self-awareness, which can promote active coping.

    “Producing personal narratives can increase self-awareness, which can, in turn, promote active coping.56,57”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [56] Ridgway P. Restorying psychiatric disablity: learning from first person recovery narrratives. Psychiatr Rehabil J 2001;24(4):335–343 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [57] Turkle S. Cyberspace and identity. Contemp Sociol 1999;28(6):643–648 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Personal blogging may prove cathartic for health professionals dealing with stressful work environments.

    “Similarly, it may prove cathartic for health professionals dealing with stressful work environments.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    The rapid increase in the number of health blogs suggests that the health blogosphere will continue to evolve in ways that differ from this snapshot in time.

    “The rapid increase in the number of health blogs suggests that the health blogosphere will continue to evolve in ways that differ from this snapshot in time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The number of health blogs is rapidly increasing.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    Large-scale empirical investigations of information posted on health blogs might better elucidate the state of health and health care.

    “Large-scale empirical investigations of information posted on health blogs might better elucidate the state of health and health care.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Authors' representations may have been inaccurate.

    “Furthermore, authors' representations may have been inaccurate.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Blogging might allow people with potentially stigmatizing conditions to freely express themselves while sharing their experiences with others, rather than keeping aspects of their identities hidden.

    “Thus, rather than keeping aspects of their identities hidden as they might do in their everyday interactions, blogging might allow people with potentially stigmatizing conditions to freely express themselves while sharing their experiences with others.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    The sample was likely biased toward popular blogs of comparatively greater influence and prestige, so some blog topics and areas may have been underrepresented and others overrepresented.

    “Because it is likely that the sample was biased toward popular blogs of comparatively greater influence and prestige, some blog topics and areas may have been underrepresented (e.g., concerns of parents about the link between vaccination and autism) and others overrepresented (e.g., physician bloggers' interests).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Information posted on the Internet is not always reliable because anyone can post content.

    “Although information posted on the Internet is not always reliable because anyone can post content,62,63”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [62] Eysenbach G, Powell J, Kuss O, Sa ER. Empirical studies assessing the quality of health information for consumers on the World Wide Web: a systematic review. JAMA 2002;287(20):2691–2700 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [63] Purcell GP, Willson P, Delamothe T. The quality of information on the Internet. BMJ 2002;324(7337):557–558 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Health blogging communities could act as conduits for disseminating evidence-based information.

    “Health blogging communities could act as conduits for disseminating evidence-based information as well.43”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Lagu T, Kaufman EJ, Asch DA, Armstrong K. Content of weblogs written by health professionals. J Gen Intern Med 2008;23(10):1642–1646 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    The prevalence of certain types of blogs might reflect significant social and political mobilization among communities of persons living with or at risk for particular conditions.

    “The prevalence of certain types of blogs might also reflect significant social and political mobilization among communities of persons living with or at risk for particular conditions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Blogs such as these might be devoted to mobilizing people to attend rallies, protests, or marches; sign petitions; raise funds; and support legislation.

    “Blogs such as these might be devoted to mobilizing people to attend rallies, protests, or marches; sign petitions; raise funds; and support legislation.54”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [54] McKenna L, Pole A. What do bloggers do: an average day on an average political blog. Public Choice 2008;134(1–2):97–108 [Google Scholar] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    Blogs written by health professionals may serve to make health and medical information less arcane and more available to lay people while maintaining professional credibility.

    “Blogs written by health professionals are noteworthy because they may serve to make health and medical information less arcane and more available to lay people while maintaining professional credibility.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Typically health providers are viewed as a trustworthy source.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § DISCUSSION

    We did not identify an unknown number of less widely linked blogs that were not captured by a search engine or connected to a blog aggregator or blogroll.

    “We also did not identify an unknown number of less widely linked blogs that were not captured by a search engine or connected to a blog aggregator or blogroll.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § DISCUSSION

    This may be particularly true among those with HIV/AIDS and physical disability, groups that have a strong advocacy presence.

    “This may be particularly true among those with HIV/AIDS and physical disability, groups that have a strong advocacy presence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given
    § Acknowledgments

    This project was approved by Brown University's institutional review board.

    “This project was approved by Brown University's institutional review board.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § DISCUSSION

    Professional organizations such as the American Public Health Association and the American Medical Association have developed guidelines regarding the quality and nature of health and medical information posted on the Internet.

    “Professional organizations such as the American Public Health Association and the American Medical Association have developed guidelines regarding the quality and nature of health and medical information posted on the Internet.64,65”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [64] American Public Health Association Criteria for assessing the quality of health information on the Internet. Am J Public Health 2001;91(3):513–514 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [65] Winker MA, Flanagin A, Chi-Lum B, et al. Guidelines for medical and health information sites on the Internet: principles governing AMA web sites. JAMA 2000;283(12):1600–1606 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

      Not checked in the free run.

33 of 33
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is no known population of health blogs, so a truly random sample cannot be constructed.

    “This sampling approach is appropriate when the absence of a known population renders a truly random sample impossible to construct.”
    “This approach is especially appropriate for studying blogs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Bloggers' demographic characteristics (gender, age, occupation, education) can be reliably identified from blog content.

    “Demographic information involved the identification of blogger gender, age, occupation, and education.”
    “Most characteristics were readily identifiable through a cursory review of each blog.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The primary perspective of each blogger can be reliably coded from blog descriptions and posts.

    “We also identified topics discussed by reading blog descriptions and posts, and we coded the primary perspective of each blogger.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The sample of 951 blogs is representative of influential health blogs in the United States.

    “We analyzed the content and characteristics of influential health blogs and bloggers to provide a more thorough understanding of the health blogosphere than was previously available.”
    “We systematically cataloged the content and characteristics of the most influential health blogs and bloggers to provide a more thorough understanding of the health blogosphere than has been available to date.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The 2007 and 2008 samples can be combined into a single sample of 951 blogs.

    “We identified health-related blogs during 2 periods: June to July 2007 and April to May 2008.”
    “We analyzed a total of 951 blogs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Typically health providers are viewed as a trustworthy source.

    “typically health providers are viewed as a trustworthy source.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many bloggers seek to remain anonymous.

    “Because many bloggers seek to remain anonymous”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The number of health blogs is rapidly increasing.

    “The rapid increase in the number of health blogs”
8 of 8

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • SiteMeter prevalence described as over two thirds but reported as 34.3%

    Minor

    The reported 34.3% is about one third, not slightly more than two thirds.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 62 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 13

  1. Fox S, 2008, The Engaged E-Patient Population
  2. Lenhart A, 2006, Bloggers: A Portrait of the Internet's New Storytellers
  3. Harrison JP, 2006, Nurs Econ, 24, 283
  4. Harty-Golder B, 2005, MLO Med Lab Obs, 37, 42
  5. Jacobs N, 2007, Profiles Healthc Commun, 23, 9
  6. Blass A, 2007, Diabetes Self Manag, 24, 39
  7. Genes N, 2009, J Emerg Med
  8. Sandars J, Med Teach, 1
  9. Zeng X, 2005, Perspect Health Inf Manag, 2, 6
  10. Karpf D, 2008, Polit Technol Rev, 33
  11. Pole A. Representation and blogs: advertising, credit claiming, and position taking? Paper presented at: American Political Science Association Annual Conference; August 31-September 3, 2006; Philadelphia, PA.
  12. Glaser BG, 1967, The Discovery of Grounded Theory
  13. Fox S, 2006, Online Health Search

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Miller, E. A., & Pole, A.
Affiliations
Montclair State University (US)
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Published
2010-08
Volume
100
Issue
8
Pages
1514-1519
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
OpenAlex
W2017980577
Cited by
129
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 15
FWCI
11.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Brown University
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Media and Digital Communication
Keywords
health blogs, blogosphere, bloggers, online health information, blog content analysis, patient perspectives, health professionals' experiences, caregiver perspectives, health information quality
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Attitude to Health, Educational Status, Female, Health, Health Personnel, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Occupations, Patients, Social Support, United States, Caregivers, Consumer Health Information, Young Adult, Blogging

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