Online Health Information Sharing

Online health information sharing consists of the activities that allow online users, both on the Internet and mobile sites, to obtain and/or provide the information about various health topics. Given the proliferation of health information shared online, it is important to understand the elements of and outcomes from online sharing of health information. The information shared online depends on the type of health issue and the types and needs of the users. Information credibility is another critical determinant of how willing people are to share health information online. Several theories in social psychology and communication help researchers analyze people's satisfaction with the information exchange and intention to participate in information sharing, especially concerning a common undercontribution problem in online health communities.

Athena du Pré suggests that ...