This portion of our web guide focuses on online forums and discussion platforms designed for interactive conversations on health, wellness, and medical issues.
These may include social media platforms specifically intended for discussing these issues and, in particular, the type of social media platform known as Internet forums, also known as online forums or message boards.
Internet forums might also be known as online communities. The nature of many of these platforms is such that members or participants get to know one another at some level, forming what could be considered a virtual community.
Internet forums differ from chat rooms in that messages are generally longer than one line of text and are at least temporarily archived so that forum members coming along the next day or longer may respond and thereby participate in the discussion.
Forums might be powered by proprietary software or by commercial or open-source forum scripts. Further discussion and resources pertaining to Internet Forum Scripts or Forum Hosting may be found in the Computers & Internet portion of our guide.
Health-related Internet forums might be general in nature, dealing with a wide range of health, wellness, and medical issues, or they may be specific or intended for particular groups of members or discussions, such as breast cancer survivors, medical professionals, or for physicians in a specific medical specialty. Forums might also be set up to discuss topics like nutrition, holistic medicine, or other health-related topics that may be more or less specific.
Most Internet forums require individuals to be registered in order to participate in discussions, although the discussions themselves might be openly viewed. This may or may not involve a membership fee.
Other types of social media designed for interactive discussion of health, medical, or wellness topics would also be appropriate for this portion of our guide.
Recommended Resources
The CSN is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends. Its discussion boards are a public forum, open to the public, although some areas are restricted to members only and are not accessible to search engines. Included are a general cancer discussion area, along with forums for specific types of cancer, and a section for topics like caregiving and lifestyle-related topics. Registration is required for participation.
https://csn.cancer.org/
Intended for doctors and medical students, the site uses an Xenforo forum script, and registration with the site is required for participation in discussions. Included is a general conversation area, as well as categories for tests and residency, basic medicine, specialty, other medical specialties, and languages other than English. Contests are periodically scheduled, as well. Threads that have been the most recently posted to and new profile posts are highlighted on the forum.
https://forum.facmedicine.com/
When dealing with a medical condition, being able to connect with others going through the same thing can be helpful. Health Boards is a specialized set of discussion forums where people can come together to discuss various health issues, including more general health and wellness issues. The website has a variety of specialized message boards covering subjects such as autism, birth control, bowel disorders, blood disorders, men's health, and obesity. Registration is required for participation.
https://www.healthboards.com/
Offering informational articles on a large range of health and wellness topics arranged alphabetically, the site also features online communities (forums) on topics such as diabetes, pregnancy, general health, healthy living, women's health, men's health, mental health, heart, lung and respiratory disorders, sleep disorders, children's health, cancer, digestive, and hepatitis. Registered members are able to ask or answer questions. Registration is required, but it is free.
https://www.medhelp.org/
Patient Info: Community Forums
Patient Info features a directory of evidence-based clinical information as well as a group of forums that can be used as a resource for patients and others, although the forums are not moderated or reviewed by doctors. Featured groups include anxiety disorders, coronavirus, depression, hip replacement, irritable bowel syndrome, knee problems, menopause, and others, including condition and medicine categories and an alphabetical listing of groups. Members can also start their own discussions.
https://patient.info/forums
Practicing physician assistants are licensed by state medical boards, and practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. Online since 1998 and powered by Invision, this online forum is for discussions with and between PA and PA students. Discussion areas are set up for those considering the profession, as well as for PA students, and for professional physician assistants. An article section features informational articles on various topics related to the PA profession.
https://www.physicianassistantforum.com/
Seniors Only Club: Health & Wellness
People fifty years old or older can discuss their health and other topics related to health and wellness with people their own age in this online discussion forum, whose membership is restricted to seniors. With the understanding that forum participants are fellow seniors and that forum topics do not represent professional medical advice, there is no charge for membership. Diets and dieting are also topics under discussion. Registration is required for participation in discussions.
https://www.seniorsonly.club/forums/health-wellness/
This website provides discussion boards centered on health issues, offering news and other health-related articles and announcements. The website also provides a place for discussion where people can share their experiences, ask an expert, create health journals, and post health topics. Its discussion boards include over thirty different categories with over a hundred and fifty forums where registered members can participate in discussions, although anyone may read the content.
https://www.steadyhealth.com/
