@inproceedings{04eff371981a4032923161b5a6381499,
title = "Collaborative friendship networks in online healthcare communities: An exponential random graph model analysis",
abstract = "Health 2.0 provides patients an unprecedented way to connect with each other online. However, less attention has been paid to how patient collaborative friendships form in online healthcare communities. This study examines the relationship between collaborative friendship formation and patients' characteristics. Results from Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) analysis indicate that gender homophily doesn't appear in CFNs, while health homophily such as treatments homophily and health-status homophily increases the likelihood of collaborative friendship formation. This study provides insights for improving website design to help foster close relationship among patients and deepen levels of engagement.",
keywords = "Collaborative friendship, ERGMs, Health 2.0, Patient networks",
author = "Xiaolong Song and Shan Jiang and Xianbin Yan and Hsinchun Chen",
year = "2014",
doi = "10.1007/978-3-319-08416-9_8",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9783319084152",
series = "Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)",
publisher = "Springer-Verlag",
pages = "75--87",
booktitle = "Smart Health - International Conference, ICSH 2014, Proceedings",
note = "2nd International Conference for Smart Health, CSH 2014 ; Conference date: 10-07-2014 Through 11-07-2014",
}