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Analysis of Network Structure and Doctor Behaviors in E-Health Communities from a Social-Capital Perspective

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  • Zhigang Li

    (School of Management Science, Chengdu University of Technology, No. 1, Dongsan Road, Erxian Bridge, Chenghua District, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Xu Xu

    (Chengdu University of Technology, No.1, Dongsan Road, Erxian Bridge, Chenghua District, Chengdu 610059, China)

Abstract

In tandem with internet development and widespread social media use, e-health communities have begun to emerge in recent years. These communities allow doctors to access forums anywhere, anytime, seek or exchange medical information online, find literature, and so on. This is convenient and can solve some problems for doctors while also promoting doctor communication. This study collected and collated 102 doctors in the “Lilac Forum” and used social network tools to quantify the overall network density, centrality, core–periphery structure, and structural hole indicators of doctors’ information exchange from a social-capital perspective. The results showed that the frequency of interaction between doctors differed because of differences in the identities and participation of doctors in the e-health community. The density of the doctors’ information dissemination network (0.228) and network cohesion (0.610) were relatively high. Thus, the doctors were more closely connected, and information was easily spread. At the same time, doctors with higher professional titles had obvious location characteristics, familiarity and trust, and high levels of reciprocity. They could obtain redundant information in the network and were more likely to influence the behavior of other doctors. This study’s findings provide support for improving information exchange among doctors in e-health communities and improving the service levels of the platforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhigang Li & Xu Xu, 2020. "Analysis of Network Structure and Doctor Behaviors in E-Health Communities from a Social-Capital Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1136-:d:319014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jingfang Liu & Yafei Liu, 2022. "Exploring the User Interaction Network in an Anxiety Disorder Online Community: An Exponential Random Graph Model with Topical and Emotional Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Sreejith Alathur & Naganna Chetty & Rajesh R. Pai & Vishal Kumar & Sahraoui Dhelim, 2022. "Hate and False Metaphors: Implications to Emerging E-Participation Environment," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-10, October.
    3. Rolf Wynn & Elia Gabarron & Jan-Are K. Johnsen & Vicente Traver, 2020. "Special Issue on E-Health Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-6, April.
    4. Xu Xu & Zhigang Li & Rui Wang & Li Zhao, 2021. "Analysis of the Evolution of User Emotion and Opinion Leaders’ Information Dissemination Behavior in the Knowledge Q&A Community during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.

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