Writing about one’s illness
in a private journal has risen to another level with technology. Now, many
people share ongoing public records of their illness journeys. On the
Internet, readers all over the world can empathize, advise, and become inspired
by illness blog posts. Not much research exists about this growing
phenomenon, but researchers on patients' blogging are beginning to explore psychosocial effects and
motivating factors for initiating and maintaining a blog.
One
Internet survey study included a 34-item online questionnaire created, tested,
and promoted through online health/disease forums. Respondents
provided information regarding demographics, health condition, initiation and
upkeep of blogs, and dynamics of online communication. The survey was completed
by 230 blog respondents who were predominantly female and generally highly educated.
Respondents
reported the following:
1)
An illness blog increased connections with others, decreased isolation, and
provided an outlet for sharing their illness stories.
2)
Blogging promoted accountability for themselves and others. Explaining
their stories created opportunities for understanding and coping with illness.
Blogging about their
illnesses empowers people, makes them feel less isolated and more proactive
in encouraging themselves and others. While looking for blogs written by older
adults, I discovered “Caroline’s Breast Cancer Blog,” which includes images,
videos, and other resources. This blog is written by Caroline Ronten, who was
first diagnosed with cancer over thirty
years ago. Outspoken and feisty, Caroline’s blog dates back to 2007. She says,
“I started this blog so I could keep my friends and family up on my dealings
with breast cancer, but now it has evolved into my take on the medical world as
well as my medical ups and downs.” You can view Caroline’s cancer blog here, and she can also school you on a few other ailments and problems in the world.
Health care blogs and health care websites can be
persuasive. They are used by many to impact the thoughts and actions of others.
Is one more persuasive than the other? Here’s what the research says: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/health-blogs-vs-websites-frances-shani-parker?trk=mp-reader-card
Frances Shani Parker,
Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
thank you for including me!
ReplyDeleteOn the negative side, some people who blogged about their illnesses regretted it later because of the way others responded to them. For example, it may have been a factor in their not getting a job they wanted. In terms of new relationships, they would have preferred that people didn't know about their illnesses so soon in their relationship.
Delete