A qualitative investigation of factors enabling sustained use of online health communities

Yan Zhang
2014 Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology  
The duration of consumers' use of an online health community directly impacts their health outcomes. However, little is known about factors enabling sustained use. Using survey methods, this study found that referral from trusted others, useful content, and large, diverse, and supportive community environment is associated with continuous use of online health communities. Implications for designing web-based health communities and interventions were discussed. Keywords Online health
more » ... health information seeking behavior, online communities.
doi:10.1002/meet.2014.14505101111 fatcat:barraescmfcdbf3mlklf6ucx3i