Christine Thoër

Expressing, Communicating and Discussing Suicide: Nature, Effects and Methods of Interacting through Online Discussion Platforms

In many countries, the Internet is a source frequently used to look up health information (Fox & Duggan, 2013; McDaid P The Change Foundation, 2011a; Chou et al., 2009; Fox & Jones, 2009). Social media platforms are especially popular among teens and young adults researching sensitive topics such as sexuality, mental health, drug use including recreational use of prescription medication, and se If-harm (Buhi et al., 2009; Gray et al., 2005; Gray & Klein, 2006; Harvey et al, 2007; Tackett-Gibson, 2007, 2008; Thoer & Aumond, 2010; Aube & Thoer, 2009; Whitlock, Powers & Eckenrode, 2006). On these platforms, individuals are exposed to information from numerous sources, including governments, health institutions, health professionals, private health service providers and, most importantly, peers and family members (Romeyer, 2008).

When Medicine Is Becoming Collaborative: Social Networking Among Health-Care Professionals

In recent years, Wikis, blogs, microblogs, and other social networking platforms have become available to health care professionals facilitating information sharing and interprofessional collaboration. Online health-care provider communities act as “apomediaries” helping users seek, filter, and select relevant information. Interactions with professional peers on these platforms also provide opportunities for sharing, creating, and applying knowledge within their scope of practice. This chapter examines the use of web-based collaborative applications and social networking platforms by health professionals. Specifically, we outline the potential impacts on professional development, collaboration among health-care professionals, professional mentoring and support, and patient outcomes. We identify ways to address use barriers and outline potentials in fostering health-care professionals’ participation and engagement and conclude with future research directions.