JMIR Dermatology (Jun 2024)

PatientsLikeMe and Online Patient Support Communities in Dermatology

  • Mindy D Szeto,
  • Michelle Hook Sobotka,
  • Emily Woolhiser,
  • Pritika Parmar,
  • Jieying Wu,
  • Lina Alhanshali,
  • Robert P Dellavalle

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/50453
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7
p. e50453

Abstract

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Online patient-oriented platforms such as PatientsLikeMe (PLM) offer a venue for individuals with various diagnoses to share experiences and build community, though they may not be representative of the larger patient population. This potentially limits generalizability and raises concerns about the spread of misinformation, emphasizing the need for informed use and health care provider engagement.