"Live" Blogging from Medicine2.0
Paula Hicks - Trinity College, Dublin - Virtual Community for kids with Cancer
Fascinating Irish example of using Social Media for children in Isolation wards. SOLAS - Keeping young transplant patients connected to friends and familiar places while in isolation.
Age range 3-17 although primarily designed for 8-12 years.
Integrated SMS texting to SOLAs platform because they aren't allowed their cellphones - and you know kids use text!
Music composer, audio books - came from kids themselves. may be too tired to read but can still listen.
There is value in extending SOLAS to a wider community of hospitals to help kids find others with similar issues.
Add more medical information. Issues of power and control.
Funding - always an issue.
Jacqueline Bender, Center for Global eHealth Innovation
Facebook - Awareness-rising, fundraising and support for people affected by Breast Cancer
Women, Breast Cancer & Internet
Largest form of cancer among women.
1% of canadians are survivors of Breast Cancer.
Extensive support needs
Information and support from peers is highly valued.
Women use Internet to cultivate relationships.
- 96 breast cancer websites.
- 84 from North America. 76 from USA
- 45 have public or semi-public profiles.
- 20 social network sites.
Facebook: 300 million users. 120M users/day. 2/3 outside college. Over 35 users growing fastest.
Users modify profiles as they transition through life stages.
Can FaceBook be a health resource?
Facebook groups - 637 related to breast cancer. Analyzed 621
- Fundraising 45% of groups - of which 81% for charity walks
- Awareness 38%
- Support-a-site 10%
- Support=7%
Motivations:
Support Groups = 66
- For anyone 49%
- For self/loved one 38%
- For walkers 8%
For anyone - who knows someone who has survived, battled or died of breast cancer.
Altruistic Youth?
Approximate ages (interpret with caution - obtained by deduction):
- 53% unknown
- 26% college students
- 18% high school
- 3% post-grad
Geographic Location:
- 49% USA (group creators)
- 35% Canada
- 2% Australia
Andrea Meier, Bret Shaw, Judy Feder, Eulalia Puig Abril
E-Patients Communities and Chronic Illness
Aim was to understand how people with chronic diseases seek help and support online
What are their preferences for Web 2.0 resources.
Use this information to design future web-based support communities.
60% of people in the room are (or involved with someone) affected by chronic disease.
Health information Seeking
71.7% found health care provider recommendation difficult to find.
Health Insurance information difficult to find 79%
Doctors presentations on the web difficult to find 57%
Social Support - 81% found discovery of people with similar experiences was hard to find.
