Tutorial 6: The internet and online communities

Stroke Foundation New Zealand Inc.


http://www.stroke.org.nz/


Provide a brief description of the community

The Stroke Foundation is a non-for-profit organisation aimed at reducing the incidences of stroke and improving outcomes for stroke patients by supporting, providing advice and access to services.   The organisation assist with health promotion and prevention campaigns to raise awareness of stroke, fund and conduct research and audits related to better health outcomes.
There is a wide variety of information on the site including:

• Contact Information throughout New Zealand

• Free resources on stroke

• Links to other useful sites

• Information about different types of strokes/symptoms

• Latest news

• Local support services

It is interactive because you can access email details, find support groups, link to other sites, become a sponsor or make a donation, or register to become a volunteer.


Consider material presented in the online package.      


Community members can not directly make comment on the website page, but there are emails addresses, contact numbers and local offices to get advice or information.  So the information between the community and the site is shared, but not openly.


The online community addresses such issues as occupational justice and deprivation as it is giving access to those in the community who may not be physically capable to find it elsewhere.  This community advocates for those that have suffered a stroke to have better health and well-being outcomes, therefore they are ensuring occupational justice can be achieved through accessing all the available resources.

Considering material presented during the course and comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community. 

The stroke foundation have a privacy policy stating that all information provided is kept strictly confidential, and that they are legally bound to keep that in place.

Consider material presented in the online package and comment on the benefits and limitations these communities provide relate to traditional geographical communities.

There is no interpersonal relationships formed, and a lot can be gathered from meeting a person in relation to their body language, appearance etc.  Because it is an online package you will not get this same feedback.

American Stroke Association

http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/


Provide a brief description of the community


The American Stroke Association is an online community set up to decrease the incidences of heart disease and stroke.  There are resources for:

• getting healthy
• information on conditions
• health care and research
• support and advice for caregivers
• education programs
• fundraising
• advocacy opportunities
• latest news

Consider material presented in the online package.  


There is also links to other resources plus the opportunity to link up on facebook, twitter, gmail and youtube.  It can also be translated into many different languages.

This site seems to cater to a much larger target population, accommodating for the needs of those who don't speak english and enabling people to comment via such sites as facebook and twitter.


Considering material presented during the course and comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community. 


This site also has a strict privacy policy, and will allow people to make contact with them if they wish for personal details to be removed.

Neurological Foundation of New Zealand

http://www.neurological.org.nz/disorders/stroke

Provide a brief description of the community


The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand is an independent body set up to ensure the country's top neurologist can keep producing research that is cutting edge.  Its funds come from individual donators and there is no government funding.  The website links you to:

• latest news
• research
• funding or sponsor opportunities
• support groups
• information on stroke and other neurological disorders
• further links 
• events and fundraisers
• ways to raise awareness
• contact details

Consider material presented in the online package.  

You cannot make comments directly to the site but their are various contact details if you wish to gather further information.