How widespread is online participation in questions of health?

There is a very distinct spread across the rungs of the „participation ladder“ when it comes to online participation in questions of health. Information on health-related topics on the Net is among the most widespread forms of use – over half of the Internet users take their place on this rung (Schubart et al., 2011; Eichenberg, 2011). Offerings and experience are occasionally rated on the Internet, also; some users share their recommendations – but far fewer people are found on the consultation rung nevertheless. Finally, actual and active participation, for instance in self-help groups, is an exceptional phenomenon (van Uden-Kraan et al., 2011). However, this may be due to the fortunate fact that certain symptoms that prompt active sharing of experience are not particularly widespread throughout the population.

The dispersion of motives for participation exhibits a similar structure. The motive of seeking information is particularly widespread; but motives concerning the representation of interests, mutual support and pooling of experience are significantly less frequent (Ginossar, 2008; van Uden-Kraan et al., 2009). Users whose symptoms cause suffering or lead to isolation are most likely to become engaged in online self-help groups (Rodgers & Chen, 2005). Subjective uncertainty, also, a perceived lack of personal competency or a sense of lacking information motivate users to become actively engaged on the Net (Han et al., 2012).