Variations in structure and content of online social networks for patients with diabetes.

W ith the exponential growth of Facebook and other social networking sites, patients are increasingly seeking information and emotional support online, from other patients. Recent qualitative studies highlight the great potential that online social networks represent as a source of information and encouragement in chronic disease management. However, recent research has also identified potential pitfalls in these unregulated sites. More than 25% of posts on Facebook sites for diabetic individuals were promotional in nature, largely directing patients to learn about products not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and substantial efforts to gather data from Web site participants were noted. These findings underscore the need to guarantee the authenticity of participants and to ensure that online social networks are safe locations for patients to share information. We know little about how commonly used sites validate the authenticity of participants’ claimed identities or how they provide oversight over the content posted by participants. In addition, little is known about the structure of communication, the sources of funding, and the presence or use of advertising on these sites. Accordingly, we conducted a survey of online social networking sites to explore characteristics of these communities and to better inform physicians and patients about the choices available to them.