A healthy alternative.

In Digimediastudent on April 8, 2011, Pete discusses how new media facilitates empowerment in a political context, through the provision of platforms that enable us to produce and distribute content on a potentially global scale.

Similarly, Lewis (2006) explains how this increase in user generated content is reflected in a health context. New media plays a prominent role in changing the way individuals are managing their health, and “how people access, perceive and make use of health information” (Lewis 2006).

For example, people can now access medical forums, condition specific sites and support groups, thus expanding their knowledge, and in many cases, gaining a sense of belonging.  Interestingly, while some are skeptical of the trustworthiness of health information online, a sense of empowerment appears to be common among many online health management or information seekers (Lewis 2006);

“Illness…isolates, makes you feel passive and unable to act…telling your own story on the internet becomes an empowerment strategy” (Lewis 2006).

The doctor is still an option.

(Imaged accessed: http://tinyurl.com/3vlf5vo)

As for the skeptics; online empowerment generally means a two-way communication process. Therefore, depending on an individual’s health circumstances, they can surely judge the validity of information uncovered, and whether they want to disregard it, or compliment it with other sources such as the good old fashioned GP.

Health is important, and new media allows us to gather information in an alternative way. It shouldn’t be downtrodden.

REFERENCE LIST

ABC. 2011. “Consumer guides: patient support groups.” Accessed April 10, 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/health/consumerguides/stories/2004/08/05/1837060.htm

Bigpond. n.d. “Join the virtual medical centre forum.” Accessed April 10, 2011. http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/forum.asp

Lewis, T. 2006. “Seeking health information on the internet: lifestyle choice or bad attack of cyberchondria?” Media, Culture and Society 28 (4): 521-539.

Pete. 2011. “A (virtual) apple a day,” Digimediastudent, April 8. Accessed April 8. http://digimediastudent.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/an-virtual-apple-a-day/

State Government of Victoria. 2010. “Diabetes type 2.” Last modified March 28, 2011. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Diabetes_Type_2