Walther JB, Pingree S, Hawkins RP, Buller DB. Attributes of interactive online health information systems.
J Med Internet Res 2005;
7:e33. [PMID:
15998624 PMCID:
PMC1550659 DOI:
10.2196/jmir.7.3.e33]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2005] [Revised: 02/15/2005] [Accepted: 02/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of online communication systems related to prevention, decision making, and coping with cancer has outpaced theoretical attention to the attributes that appeal to system users and that create effective interactions. This essay reviews a number of sociotechnical attributes related to online discussion systems and tutorials, including interactivity, presence, homophily, social distance, anonymity/privacy, and interaction management. These attributes are derived from different theoretical perspectives which have led to clinical trials and other empirical studies demonstrating effectiveness or attraction to end users. The effects of a subset of these attributes are connected to learning, social influence, and coping, as illustrated in evaluations of an interactive smoking prevention site and a cancer advice/support discussion system.
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