Developing guidelines for integrating social networking technologies and professional advice-giving in constructing an online community for supporting breast cancer survivors

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National benefits include new knowledge about online communities that deliver specialist health advice. Specific research benefits comprise improved education and support for earlier detection of, and enhanced recovery rates for, breast cancer. The project investigates whether we can harness the cluster-power of social networks to build integrated and supportive online communities. Relevant to Australian organisations using digital communications for education and support, the study seeks to reduce disadvantage due to distance. Organisations concerned about minimising risk arising from uninformed opinion and discussion will learn whether they can integrate specialist expertise and comment without destroying online dynamics.