Gabriela Ortizmichel*, ITESO, Guadalajara, Mexico Agnès Vayreda Durán, UOC, Barcelona, Spain Francesc Nuñez Mosteo, UOC, Barcelona, Spain Track: Research Presentation Topic: The nature and dynamics of social networks in health Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: MECC Room: 0.9 Athens Date: 2010-11-29 03:00 PM – 04:30 PM Last modified: 2010-09-21

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Background: Differences in the way patients approach online information have been found in literature. Even if some of those could be cultural-related, few studies have done language driven comparatives. At an -in progress- doctoral research we are studying the ways in which patient online communities construct collective meaning and credibility on information. We are comparing a Spanish speaking community and an English speaking one.
This paper presents partial results that aimed to describe the communities with which we are working.
Objectives of this stage: To set the context in which a broader research takes place, by comparing the case studies in their general interests when using their social-network platform.
Methodology: Our case studies are two diabetes online communities created by the same patient, over the same platform and with equal declared social norms. One expresses herself in Spanish (8500+ members, 7500+ Latin American), the other one in English (14800+, 10000+ USA). For this stage we studied their forums, groups and blogs, did content analysis over the information they express trough their titles/descriptions, and compared frequencies.
Results: Forums. Similarities were found in the main categories both communities use: “General”, (almost 25% of the discussions), “Type 1 D” (English 21%; Spanish 11%) and “New to Diabetes?” The next categories are, for the English speakers “Insulin Pumpers” (10%), and for the Spanish speakers “Keeping Diabetes under Control” and “Type 2 D” (10% each).
Groups. Although there are some common topics that represent the biggest percentage on both communities (local-region driven groups), there are different interests in the rest of the categories. The English speakers have 5000 people on 27 groups (11%) related to insulin and pumps, having groups for different brands. That is not that common among the Spanish speakers, where the topic is discussed in general groups, non brand related (6% of the groups). They both share same percentage in number of food groups and those for special issues and illnesses related to Diabetes. Then, the Spanish speakers are more interested in groups related to cultural activities, kids and different kind of emotional social support. The English speakers are more interested on exercise, technology and religion, having also some groups for discussing formal research related to Diabetes.
Blogs were followed for a month. The Spanish speakers had 28 bloggers, with only 5 constant (at least one entrance/week). Their blogs were mainly informational, pasting data from other places. The English speakers, in the same period, had 162 bloggers with 25 constant ones. 68% of the constant ones share the ways they experience their diabetic condition.
Conclusions: The issues that are shared among our communities are similar to those found in other patient related communities as well. Some of the differences speak about possible variations in the appomediation/intermediation levels of approaching to information, like for example the English speakers having groups discussing diabetes research formally, and Spanish speakers not producing, but reproducing information when blogging. What is behind those differences? In depth content analysis of forums, groups and blogs discussions is the next step.