title: Self-help computer conferencing.
abstract: Computer conferencing has become popular as an alternative to face-to-face conferencing in many kinds of organizations. Since users can participate at any time, from any terminal, computer conferencing makes communication very convenient, though many find the medium to be impersonal. This paper discusses the potential of computer conferencing to increase the number of people who participate in self-help groups, such as groups to help people lose weight or stop smoking. The kinds of interactions that make for successful self-help groups might be encouraged by a computer-conferencing format, even though there is no direct, face-to-face contact. The results of a trial smoking-cessation program which employed computer conferencing suggest that computer conferencing could play a useful role in health promotion.
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003201:Computers; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013685:Telecommunications