BOOMITY|Health
Weekly Blog
By Joan Kincaid, October 30, 2024
In my work studying peer online health communities, I’ve encountered a common concern from health organizations considering an online community for their patients: What if members share inaccurate information or dangerous treatment suggestions? It’s a valid question—after all, misinformation can have serious implications, particularly in health care.
However, what I’ve observed is that well-designed online communities, like those supported by BOOMITY|Health, offer a unique solution. With the right tools and structures, health organizations can create a safe, trusted environment that prioritizes accuracy and peer support while minimizing the spread of misinformation. Thought leaders like Susannah Fox, whose work on patient-led health care is well regarded, support this approach. She notes that strong health communities naturally “swarm” around misinformation, addressing and correcting it. In short, peer communities have a remarkable ability to self-regulate when provided with the right infrastructure.
Addressing Health Organizations’ Concerns Head-On
Health organizations, understandably, don’t want to take risks with patients’ health information. BOOMITY|Health was designed with this very concern in mind. Our platform empowers organizations to manage and moderate their own communities effectively by providing them with tailored tools for oversight, content organization, and privacy—all without the need for external moderators. This allows health organizations to establish a trusted space without taking on the heavy lifting of direct moderation.
Here’s how BOOMITY|Health’s platform design addresses these critical concerns:
Built-In Moderation Tools: While we don’t provide moderation services ourselves, BOOMITY|Health offers tools that make it easy for health organizations to oversee their communities. These tools allow clients to manage conversations, flag posts for review, and respond promptly to concerns—all under their trusted brand, ensuring that members receive reliable guidance from a reputable source.
Resource Libraries with Verified Content: One of the most effective ways to combat misinformation is by making credible information readily available. BOOMITY|Health includes options for an integrated resource library, allowing organizations to share trusted articles, FAQs, and other resources that patients and caregivers can access at any time.
Structured, Health-Centric Design: Unlike general social media platforms, BOOMITY|Health was designed specifically for health communities, which means privacy, security, and a health-focused structure are built-in. By creating an organized, health-centered space, we help reduce the likelihood of misinformation taking root and make it easier for members to find the information they need.
Harnessing the Power of Community Self-Regulation
Research shows that well-supported health communities tend to self-regulate effectively. Members often collaborate to uphold community standards, debunking questionable advice and encouraging evidence-based conversations. By partnering with BOOMITY|Health, health organizations can create a space that leverages this natural peer support dynamic within a structured and secure platform.
Ready to Start Your Community?
BOOMITY|Health is the only peer to peer community engagement platform designed specifically for healthcare organizations with patients and healthcare providers in mind. For more information on how to partner with BOOMITY|Health to host your own private online health community, contact me at joan@boomity.com and visit us at www.boomityhealth.com
Comments