Through these networks, patients can gain knowledge about their condition, share experiences and get advice, support and insight into how to deal and live with it. Their interaction with others in the same situation gives them courage and support in difficult times and empowers them to avoid the isolation they would otherwise feel. The networks thereby enable patients to fulfil needs which are otherwise not covered by, for example, a patient association which lacked a forum for sustained dialogue.
The five new networks have been developed through cooperation between the regions, Danish Regions, sundhed.dk and various hospital departments. They are financed by the regions, which have been leading the networks project since its launch in 2008. The new networks are:
- Network for children and young people with urinary and purgative incontinence
- Network for women and men who have been subjected to a sexual assault or attempted assault
- Network for patients affected by lymphoedema or chronic oedema
- Network for patients with Modic changes in the spine
- Network for patients who are or will be treated for obesity
These networks are additional to the two ongoing patient networks from the pilot phase of the project, namely the network for women with repeated miscarriages and the network for women with cervical cancer.
Carl Holst, Vice-President of Danish Regions, welcomed the potential of social media. He said: "Our experience shows that patients may fulfil some needs with each other, needs which are not fulfilled by the ongoing contact with hospital staff or their own doctor. We must support this. The networks are suitable for current times where the Internet so facilitates patients' access to knowledge, where patients are encouraged to be active, and where they can listen not only to the doctor but also to others."
Annette Wandel, Chief Consultant at Danish Patients, said: "As a patient you get a lot out of talking to others in the same situation - as we know from our patients' associations, where many patients have just this opportunity. At the same time, we also know that in the dialogue between patients many questions can arise for which they need clarification from a health professional. It is therefore a very good idea to create the five new online networks, where there is also the opportunity to interact with health professionals."
Further information:
- Original news article - sundhed.dk (in Danish)
- Information on Patient Networks - sundhed.dk (in Danish)
- Access to Patient Networks - sundhed.dk (in Danish)
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 02.08.2011
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