Editorial

摘要

In 2007 a survey conducted by the Pew Internet Research Institute found that 75% of internet users in the USA had used the internet to search for health or medication information (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2008). Indeed, a similar survey based in the UK revealed that 27% of internet users had accessed the internet for health-related information in the past three months (Office for National Statistics, 2008). However, amongst this growing number of people turning to the internet for information, advice and support are those who access and actively participate in health-related virtual communities. In fact, a 2005 survey conducted in the USA found that 36 million people were members of a virtual community.