An exploratory study of canadian aboriginal online health care forums.
Internet-based discussion forums provide access to health information and social support, and serve as a resource for others. This investigation analyzed health-oriented Aboriginal Internet discussion forum (Forum A; Forum B) conversations. The findings were framed with Nutbeam's model of health literacy. Discussions within Forum B were centralized around issues of political activism and advocacy regarding Aboriginal health care. Activity in Forum A encouraged the development of "virtual" social capital, with health care discussions providing a "just-in-time" model for health education. Members of Forum A functioned as a smoking cessation self-help group and as health educators. The Internet provided a venue for the dissemination of health information and also served as a virtual voice for lifestyle coaching, political action, community building, and advocacy.
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Canada.
Lorie
L
Donelle
Laurie
L
Hoffman-Goetz
D002170:Canada; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D044382:Population Groups; D012657:Self-Help Groups