Social Informatics, Online Communities and Healthcare

AEC 1131HS

The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development

Social Informatics,Online Communities and Healthcare

When I think of social informatics I am amazed by how one major innovation, the internet and public access to it, has made an impact on society. Kling’s article on Information Technology and Social Change made me think about the impact of sociotechnical networks that enable us to communicate in electronic information spaces such as blogs, discussion groups and electronic conferencing. As a health care professional, I find it fascinating how my clients can be well informed due to the simple click of a button and access information concerning their health condition.

Kling’s table outlining the conceptions of Information and communication technology(ICT) standard (tool) models and sociotechnical models had me leaning more towards the concept of ICT as a sociotechnical network versus a tool. Although I realize that ICT is a tool, when examining health care models there is a human expertise that must be included in the picture.

When exploring health care communities or online health support groups, I can see the involvement of ICT as an ongoing social process where additional skill and work are needed to make ICT work as described by Kling. In health care, I see that ICT is socially shaped. For example when you look at this website on a local breast cancer support organization you can see how two breast cancer survivors came up with this organization and with use of technology were able to create a website. As a result, anyone who is seeking information or support aroung breast cancer can utilize the website to better understand their condition, link to resources and others who can provide psychoshocial support.

www.breastcancersupport.org/Programs_and_Services.php

I agree with Kling’s viewpoint on the ICT standard (tool) model as one that underestimates the costs and complexities of computerization and overestimates the generalizability of applications form one group to another. Without recognizing ICT as a sociotechnical network with ongoing social processes and ensuring social access, ICT does not work from a healthcare perspective.

Kling indicates that the public are now turning to the internet to find answers and information on websites, discussion groups, alternative medical advice and information regarding recovery processes. I can appreciate how someone living in a village in a third world country is challenged with ICT due to a lack of technological access or suitable equipment software. Kling mentions the digital divide and how it has widened as those with less education and income may not have access to electronic resources and the use of ICT compared to those with a higher education level and socioeconomic status.

When considering the impact of adult education on a global level in terms of improving the health and well being of those in third world countries, I do believe that there is a need to incorporate the use of computers and ICT to assist in healthcare education. It wouls be great if healthcare NGOs that work abroad could include ICT as a way to break down the barriers to those who don’t have the technological access. Some of third world countries could utilize mobile phones as a way to deal with the technological barrier. For example, in India not all people have a personal computer but most people do have a mobile phone.

Maloney-Krichmar’s article on the sociability, usability and community dynamics of online health communities highlights that a narrow focus of an online community like that found in Bob’s Kneeboard contributes to a successful online community. Their study revealed that the presence of reciprocity, bridging social capital and bonding social capital within and outside the group, resource information sharing lead to empowerment to better deal with healthcare providers. During my presentation with Janet , it was interesting to hear that our professor had recently heard Dr. Alejandro Jadad speak about the use of online health communities and his support of such forums.

Although my friend who had breast cancer was told by her oncologist to not look at such information or support on the internet, I am inclined to challenge her oncologist's rationale. As our professor pointed out, Dr.Jadad indicated that when information is incorrect on a healthcare website,it will be corrected by some member of the community. This rules out a physcian's concern about patients seeking incorrect information on the internet.

I found this very interesting article published by Dr. Jadad: What Will it Take to Bring the Internet into the Consulting Room?
We Cannot Remain Oblivious to our Patients' Expectations

www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1490187

Wow, what an eye opener for me!

I also found another interesting article on Dr. Jadad:

Summer 2007


Can we innovate fast enough to avoid health care "tsunami"?

2007 Ontario R&E Summit Highlights
Canada faces a looming health care “tsunami” unless it moves quickly to innovate and make greater use of new and innovative technologies.
That was the blunt message Dr. Alejandro (Alex) Jadad, Chief Innovator & Founder of the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, had for the audience at the annual Ontario Research and Education Summit, June 4 and 5 in Toronto.

In a provocative address, Dr. Jadad asked how the Canadian health care system can keep us healthy, instead of just treating our illnesses. Calling for more resources into health prevention and health promotion, Dr. Jadad stressed the need to create a person-centered approach to health care, and ultimately to use communication and information technology to innovate our failing health care system.



It is interesting how Dr. Jadad describes the Canadian healthcare challenge as a tsunami as the population lives longer and faces more health care issues associated with longevity. As a result,the need for innovative technologies must keep up with the wave. I am left with some questions:

Do you think physicians in Ontario should adopt and encourage the use of the internet when working with their patients?

Do you think our healthcare system in Ontario could use technology to decrease burden with face to face healthcare service delivery?

Well, interestingly enough, I discovered a pilot project with telehomecare nursing in the east York region in Toronto which is leading to better care, patient empowerment over their healthcare and thus decreasing burden to emergency room and doctor's offices.

Unfortunately this video had disabled the embedding option so I couldn't post the video here and I can only provide you with the link.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBM_ytIFzso