Social Media for Support: E-Patients Using the Internet to Cope with Arthritis & Chronic Illness

Support groups are a great way to cope with illness or disability.

In today’s world, online support groups and social networks are a great way to belong to a health community where you can interact with others who “get” what you are going through.

Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and even Pinterest offer patients the chance to interact with one another online, to offer support, and to share in triumphs and tribulations.

Great friendships can abound from social media; some further translating to the real-world.

Even doctors have gotten on board, wanting to stay on top of the technology trends. E-medicine and healthcare social media are common topics on sites such as Twitter, and many hospitals and even private practice have websites and Facebook pages.

The Arthritis Foundation also wants to offer you online social communities where you can get information and news, and talk with others who live with the same kinds of conditions as you do.

Below is a list of online resources that you can use to continue thriving with arthritis!

Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/AFMidAtlantic

Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region Twitter – http://twitter.com/MidAtlanticAF

Arthritis Ashley Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arthritis-Ashley/140748292608472

Arthritis Ashley Twitter – http://twitter.com/ArthritisAshley

Rheum to Grow Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rheum-to-Grow-For-Teens-Young-Adults-with-Arthritis-Related-Disease/271567550644

NEW! Mid Atlantic AF Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/midatlanticaf/

Kids Get Arthritis, Too – http://www.arthritistoday.org/kgat/

Inspire Joint Support Arthritis Community – https://www.inspire.com/groups/joint-support-arthritis/

Additionally, sites such as the upcoming Heal Click, and also Livestrong, the Fight Like a Girl Club, RA Warrior, RA Chicks, and Everyday Health have great online patient communities.

To learn more about e-medicine in rheumatology, check out this article in the American College of Rheumatology’s “The Rheumatologist” where our very own blogger, “Arthritis Ashley” is quoted.

Do you have any other sources of online support that you can add? If so, leave a comment!

Stay Well,

Ashley Boynes-Shuck

What’s YOUR weapon against arthritis?

Follow the Arthritis Foundation, Mid Atlantic Region on Twitter @MidAtlanticAF!

Arthritis is Unacceptable.

2 thoughts on “Social Media for Support: E-Patients Using the Internet to Cope with Arthritis & Chronic Illness – by Ashley Boynes-Shuck”

Very well put. I was diagnosed 5 years ago. RA & FM. But I have yet to meet any Rheum mates in person. FB & twitter have helped me meet some. I find that I need that connection with others that battle the same monster. Somedays it is vital to be able to communicate with people who “get it”. Thanks for all you do.

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