Positive online health behavioursOnline support groups are available for nearly every illness or disability; ranging from those that are communication-related (such as autism and hearing-impairment) to relatively common illnesses (such as asthma and diabetes). They have been suggested as being beneficial for patients with a wide range of health conditions [19] and are also becoming an increasing feature of health care for those with long-term conditions [20].

Ziebland and Wyke [20] suggested that online people’s experiences might help them make better health care choices and alert them to health issues, improve health literacy and understanding of susceptibility to illness, compare their situation with others, improve their own illness narration, access more appropriate services, and develop better relationships.

However, they also cautioned against assuming that the effects of exposure to online people’s experiences would always be benign.
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