Table 10.

Perceived situations in which blogging would not be recommended.

Themes identified		Quotes
Theme 8.1: Privacy/disclosure		“I would not recommend blogging for those who do not feel comfortable sharing personal information.”
		“Those with privacy concerns, such as health insurance tied to employment, need to be cautious. Those who would be harmed by public disclosure or being found by search engines.”
		“Anything published on the Internet stays there forever.”
Theme 8.2: Stage of disease (newly diagnosed)		“Maybe when still new to the diagnosis and searching for answers.”
Theme 8.3: Mental Illness		“If you are very unwell (mentally) and might say something that could ‘trigger’ someone else to do something harmful toward themselves or others, you should either not write until you are a bit better or censor what you write.”
		“Anyone with a mental illness who cannot handle negative comments should not blog.”
Theme 8.4: Stigma of illness		“When people are uncomfortable talking about their conditions. There are also regional issues, stigmas to think about. If you don’t like being found with a Google search of the condition and your name, don’t blog.”
Theme 8.5: Emotional vulnerability
	A. Discomfort/stress	“If it would make the person feel uncomfortable sharing medical information or if it would stress them out too much.”
		“If it hurts someone else.”
		“When patient is too weak or under strong emotional distress.”
	B. Anger	“Don’t blog when angry. You’ll say things you’ll regret.”
		“Express anger aimed at another individual.”