Web-based communities and healthcare

Special Issue on: "Web-based communities and healthcare"

in

International Journal of Web-Based Communities

Guest Editor:

Dr. Neil S. Coulson, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

co-editor: Dr. P.A.M. Kommers, University of Twente, The Netherlands

In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of individuals accessing health-related web-based communities. Such communities are concerned with a diverse range of health-related topics (e.g. cancer, depression, coronary heart disease, disability etc) and participation is increasingly being recognised as having an important contribution in the self-management of chronic illness.

Subject Coverage

Articles may address the theme of web-based communities and healthcare from a variety of perspectives. The following questions are offered as stimulus for potential authors.

• Does participation in health-related web based communities lead to changes in clinical and psychosocial outcomes?

• How do patients integrate information obtained from web based communities into their treatment-related decisions?

• What role do web based communities play in empowering the patient, especially within the doctor-patient consultation?

• How do patients assess the credibility of information conveyed within a web-based community?

• What factors underpin disclosure of personal health-related information within the web based community?

• What factors underpin perceptions of satisfaction with health-related web based communities?

• Are there socio-demographic differences in the ways in which individuals access, use and benefit from web based communities?

• How do privacy concerns impact upon the support process for individuals accessing web based communities?

Potential contributors who require clarification or wish to enquire if the topic of their submission fits within the scope of the special issue may contact Dr Coulson by email at neil.coulson@nottingham.ac.uk Please provide a paragraph describing the topic and potential title in any enquiries.

Notes for Intending Authors

All papers are refereed through a double blind process. A guide for authors, sample copies and other relevant information for manuscript format are available on the Papers Submission section under Author Guidelines

To submit a paper, please send one copy in the form of an MS Word or PDF file attached to an e-mail to the following:

Guest Editor: Dr Coulson E-mail: neil.coulson@nottingham.ac.uk

Co-editor: Dr.Kommers e-mail: Kommers@helix5.nl

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. Papers that have been published in a conference are eligible as long as they undergo a substantial change. Authors must disclose this information to the editor.

Important Dates

Deadline for Summary Submission: 30th September 2008

Deadline for paper submission: 30th November 2008

Notification to authors: 31st December 2008

Deadline for camera ready papers: 31st Jan 2009