Two new websites have been launched featuring a collection of real life health stories and personal experiences of illness and health.
The two sites, Healthtalkonline, and Youthhealthtalk, have replaced DIPEx, a site created by Dr Ann McPherson, an Oxford GP, and Dr Andrew Herxheimer, former editor of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
The charity says the new sites include the UK’s largest collection of real life health stories and aim to support individuals who feel isolated as a result of a particular conditions featuring patients talking on videos and on audio clips as well as through transcripts.
The e-health 2.0 style sites use web 2.0 social media approaches to enable users to learn of other people’s experiences of health and illness Topics covered include cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, bereavement, diabetes, epilepsy and women’s health.
Broadcaster Jon Snow and author Philip Pullman were among those who took part in the launch. Jon Snow, patron of the charity, said listening to the experiences of others could help people to better understand and cope with their illnesses.
“Healthtalkonline provides a medically endorsed forum for this kind of support,” he added.
All content on the site is based on research carried out by academics from Oxford University from interviews with almost 200 people. The charity says the sites are designed to be a useful resource for clinicians who want to better understand people’s perspectives as well as patients.
The dedicated site for young people, Youthhealthtalk, has been promoted by the singer Thom Yorke of the band Radiohead. It includes sections on epilepsy, sexual health and teenage cancer.
The charity said the new sites include greatly improved accessibility, enhanced navigation and comprehensive search facilities. DIPEx is funded by the Department of Health and charitable trusts.
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