Quality and Misinformation About Health Conditions in Online Peer Support Groups: Scoping Review

While there is good quality information and advice exchanged between users in online peer support groups, our findings show that misinformation is a problem, which is a matter of public health concern. Confidence in the quality of information shared may determine the utility of online peer support groups for patients and health care professionals. Our review suggests that clinical and academic experts in health conditions could play a valuable role in ensuring the quality of content. Several quality appraisal tools are available to support such an initiative.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Published
2025-04-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/71140
Citations
5
Primary Topic
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
14.08
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article

Quality and Misinformation About Health Conditions in Online Peer Support Groups: Scoping Review

Bethan Treadgold, Jeffrey D. Lambert, Emma Pitchforth, John Campbell et al.
5 citations
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
14.08
article

Quality and Misinformation About Health Conditions in Online Peer Support Groups: Scoping Review

Bethan Treadgold, Jeffrey D. Lambert, Emma Pitchforth, John Campbell, Neil Coulson
article en
5 citations

Abstract

While there is good quality information and advice exchanged between users in online peer support groups, our findings show that misinformation is a problem, which is a matter of public health concern. Confidence in the quality of information shared may determine the utility of online peer support groups for patients and health care professionals. Our review suggests that clinical and academic experts in health conditions could play a valuable role in ensuring the quality of content. Several quality appraisal tools are available to support such an initiative.

Journal of Medical Internet ResearchVol. 27
University of Nottingham (GB), University of Exeter (GB), Exeter Primary Care (GB), University of Bath (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
14.08
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