 Empowered and knowledgeable health consumers: The impact of online support groups on the doctor–patient relationshipSusan Stewart Loane and Steven D'Alessandro Australasian marketing journal, 2014, vol. 22, issue 3, 238-245 Abstract: Increased longevity means that many people live into their 70s, 80s and beyond, with increasing numbers living with chronic disease. The role of the Internet in the care of chronic disease has been explored within the health literature and, to a lesser extent, within the marketing literature, with recent research suggesting that around 60% of patients source internet-based information about medical conditions and treatment. This mixed-methods study explores the impact of online support groups on the doctor–patient relationship finding that participants in an online support group for inflammatory bowel disease share lay advice, empower each other and act as a credible channel for word-of-mouth referrals. The traditional asymmetric relationship between patient and doctor is challenged by this new form of educated, empowered health consumer who is able to work in partnership with medical service providers in the ongoing management of chronic illness. Keywords: Virtual community; Online support group; Health; Consumer behaviour; Consumer empowerment (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:aumajo:v:22:y:2014:i:3:p:238-245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ausmj.2014.08.007 Access Statistics for this article Australasian marketing journal is currently edited by Roger Marshall More articles in Australasian marketing journal from Elsevier |
Is your work missing from RePEc? Here is how to contribute.
Questions or problems? Check the EconPapers FAQ or send mail to .
EconPapers is hosted by the
School of Business at Örebro University.