title: How to start a blog.
abstract: Blogs that address issues of health and medical education run by clinical and research teams can have a profound impact on how patients access and navigate health information. Regularly updated websites are useful tools to facilitate two-way communication with a range of different audiences from patients to the general public. They provide benefits of supporting patients to learn and self-manage their health, and to educate colleagues and disseminate research. This article describes how to set up a blog, pointing out some simple style and formatting considerations, usable methods and appropriate conduct for healthcare professionals to engage with patients online.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raciborska
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London.
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9995-1700
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannoni
mesh_terms: D057218:Blogging; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008491:Medical Informatics Applications; D010820:Physicians
keywords: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS