journal of digital research & publishing - The Sydney eScholarship ...

1 P M J O U R N A L O F D I G I T A L R ESEARCH & P UBLISHING
Newer Forms of Authority do not necessarily replace traditional ones
What are the results of the increased availability to information and efforts of patient
advocates within the social nature of the Internet? A review of the relevant academic
literature and some of the threads on Real Thyroid Help indicates that the following
effects emerge:
}& A4+#$%+&( B1$&+#/%( +345#+#/%40( 41+*/3#+7( ,@13$& From outright criticism of
particular doctors to more lighthearted sarcasm (refer to Appendix A), patients are
challenging the basis for inferred authority.
}& Doctor­patient interactions change Patients may ask more questions, take in
Internet­sourced information and take a more partnership­oriented approach.
}& A4+#$%+&(8$$0(;/3$("/%,5$%+(4C/1+(+*$#3("/%5#+#/% They are able to make decisions
about their treatment after reading information on the Internet (Suggs, 2006). Seckin
(2006) noted that a continuous exchange of information and emotional support facilitated
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It is important to note that there are limitations to the challenges placed on traditional
medical authority by patient advocates and the changing context within which it operates.
Patients may need to be at a particular stage of their treatment to be receptive to any
communication from advocates and of course, may reject that communication.
Importantly, Broom (2005, p. 334), noted,
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