The online patient meeting.

Studies have shown the importance of social support for health, and the value of patient support groups. Today we are seeing a further development of the idea of the patient meeting: online discussions on the internet and other computer networks. This paper reports on the online activities of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The paper explores key questions in the evaluation of online patient meetings, such as the ability of patients to discuss their problems frankly, the availability and accuracy of advice, the spread and control of rumours.