In a study of breast cancer patients, Civan, McDonald, Unruh, and Pratt (2009) referred to patient expertise as the knowledge gained by managing and coping with disease, including practical everyday management, treatment decisions, side effects, social relationships, and daily responsibilities. Recognizing their need for information, breast cancer patients actively search for expertise from informal sources and personal networks of friends, family, other patients, or healthcare professionals not directly involved in their treatment. (Civan et al.,2009)
Expertise can also come in the form of unsolicited offers, where family, friends, or strangers offer advice and help. Unsolicited offers can be helpful or unhelpful, depending on the patient’s openness to receive unsolicited help or how well the offer of help matches the patient’s health need. (Civan et al, ,2009) Breast cancer patients are more accepting of unsolicited offers when the offers are tailored to their specific health situation and provide proactive and supportive information.
Civan et al (2009) also identify the use of three different types of “gatekeepers” in breast cancer communities, as informal information sources themselves or serve as an introduction to other …show more content…
Online health communities provide “information-related activities, including seeking information, providing information, exchanging information, and constructing knowledge with peers [that] can cultivate a sense of competence in managing the disease, by helping users gain or exercise knowledge and skills. (Zhang, 2015, p. 11) “The convenience of these groups can help individuals initiate and maintain a larger network of people who they can turn to during moments of crisis, or to help them maintain positive well being on a day-to-day basis.” (Wright, 2002, p.
Expertise can also come in the form of unsolicited offers, where family, friends, or strangers offer advice and help. Unsolicited offers can be helpful or unhelpful, depending on the patient’s openness to receive unsolicited help or how well the offer of help matches the patient’s health need. (Civan et al, ,2009) Breast cancer patients are more accepting of unsolicited offers when the offers are tailored to their specific health situation and provide proactive and supportive information.
Civan et al (2009) also identify the use of three different types of “gatekeepers” in breast cancer communities, as informal information sources themselves or serve as an introduction to other …show more content…
Online health communities provide “information-related activities, including seeking information, providing information, exchanging information, and constructing knowledge with peers [that] can cultivate a sense of competence in managing the disease, by helping users gain or exercise knowledge and skills. (Zhang, 2015, p. 11) “The convenience of these groups can help individuals initiate and maintain a larger network of people who they can turn to during moments of crisis, or to help them maintain positive well being on a day-to-day basis.” (Wright, 2002, p.