Enabling Cross-Usage of Public Health Systems - A Holistic Approach to Ask the Expert Systems and Online Communities

The number of users of health systems on the Internet has increased at a rapid pace. The systems are browsed for health information, and online interactions take place with medical experts as well as with people who have similar health problems. This paper presents a study of the usage of two different types of health systems: Ask the Expert system and online communities for people with overweight. The study focused on the different types of questions as well as information, advice and recommendations posted in the systems. Starting point of the study was the questions and answers presented in the Ask the Expert system. The results show how the systems serve as complements, and suggestions on how to enable the users to easily cross-use the systems are presented. Such development could help the users to get a fuller picture and better understanding of different health issues.