Exploring and Predicting Online Collective Action on Patients' Virtual Communities: A Multi-method Investigation in France

Virtual patients’ communities are developing on the Internet. These communities allow frequent interactions among patients, who can share health-related information within an interactive environment. However, we know very little about what determines patients’ online collective action on Web 2.0 social networks. Accordingly, this research-in-progress examines why patients interact with others and communicate on topics related with their disease through these virtual communities. Drawing on goal-directed behavior (MGB) and the expectancy-value (EVT) theories, we have developed a model for examining patients’ interactions with virtual communities. This multi-method, qualitative and quantitative approach enables one to explore patients’ interactions and measure the determinants of online collective action on virtual spaces. The results from the qualitative analysis of 54 interviews conducted with patients, patient’s relatives, health 2.0 professionals, doctors and caregivers are discussed herein. This research is expected to increase our knowledge regarding the individual dynamics and interactions that surround online patients’ communities.