Apoyo a un «click» de ratón: los foros de Internet para problemas de salud

The use of online discussion forums has become popular among people with health problems. Online forums' users exchange and share personal experiences and feelings with strangers. The computer-mediated communication has special features which attract a wide variety of individuals suffering from health conditions and/or their caregivers. In addition to the 24 hour availability and the absence of barriers imposed by geographic location, research suggests special characteristics of online discussion groups such as: a better way for people to express themselves than in face to face encounters, access to a wide variety of health information, a possibility to reveal personal and private information anonymously or the therapeutic effects of writing about health problems. Although there is some scientific evidence which suggests the positive effects of internet discussion groups participation on users' well-being, more controlled studies are needed.ResumenEl uso de foros de discusión en internet constituye una actividad cotidiana para un porcentaje importante de personas que sufre algún problema de salud. Los usuarios de foros intercambian experiencias con otros participantes desconocidos con los que llegan a compartir vivencias y sentimientos con un elevado grado de intimidad. Las peculiaridades de la comunicación mediada por ordenador hacen de los foros de Internet una alternativa de comunicación atractiva para muchos afectados por algún problema de salud, o para sus familiares. Además de la disponibilidad las 24 horas o la eliminación de barreras geográficas, la investigación existente sugiere una serie de características únicas de estos foros como son: la posibilidad de expresarse mejor que en ambientes cara a cara, el acceso a una cantidad de información sobre salud más heterogénea y variada, la posibilidad de desvelar información personal e íntima sobre la propia salud con menor riesgo que en los grupos cara a cara o el valor terapéutico de la revelación personal en formato escrito sobre los problemas de salud. Aunque ya existen evidencias de los efectos beneficiosos del uso de foros en el bienestar de sus usuarios, todavía se necesitan estudios más detallados y controlados. AbstractThe use of online discussion forums has become popular among people with health problems. Online forums' users exchange and share personal experiences and feelings with strangers. The computer-mediated communication has special features which attract a wide variety of individuals suffering from health conditions and/or their caregivers. In addition to the 24 hour availability and the absence of barriers imposed by geographic location, research suggests special characteristics of online discussion groups such as: a better way for people to express themselves than in face to face encounters, access to a wide variety of health information, a possibility to reveal personal and private information anonymously or the therapeutic effects of writing about health problems. Although there is some scientific evidence which suggests the positive effects of internet discussion groups participation on users' well-being, more controlled studies are needed