A cause-based social support network patent is a computer-read medium with instructions that when executed cause the computer to perform in a specific fashion. The system includes a communication circuit that talks to a remote personal electronic device. Then systems connect to start a social communication based on an affinity between electronic devices.
Worldwide it is understood that social relationships tend to have a powerful effect on one’s physical and mental health. One’s mental health affects one’s medical outcome. Social networks and having a support system in place or lack thereof, can predict a broad range of health outcomes, from survival after heart attacks, prognosis of disease progression and one’s ability to function with a debilitating disease. In Sweden in 1985, there was a Goteborg study, which showed that in different groups of men, social isolation proved to be a risk factor for dying, independent of their respective biomedical status. Also in Alameda Count in California in 1979, a study concluded that men and women who lacked ties to others were 1.9 to 3.1 times more likely to die than those who had a rich social life. However, it was not until the 1970’s that epidemiologists turned their attention to the critical role of social relationships in long term health outcomes. A social network is a structure made up of individuals or organizations, which can be linked by type and function such as friendship, kinship, sexual relationship, professional, knowledge, prestige, relationships of a belief, or even associations of fellow survivors.
Naturally, not all ties are necessarily supportive in nature. A socially supportive network is typically divided into subtypes that might include emotional, instrumental, assessment, informational, encouragement and collaboration. On a community level when relationships are solid, one tends to feel strong bonds and attachment to people in the neighborhood and to organizations such as a church. Usually with a strong social network comes better overall health.
Peer pressure as regards social networking may influence health behaviors. Shared norms regarding alcohol or cigarette consumption, even medical treatment compliance are apt to have an effect on one’s health. Several studies (Bassuk et al., 1999) suggest that social engagement is critical to maintaining cognitive ability and reducing mortality in the elderly and the incapacitated.
Social network analysis software is used to identify, represent, analyze, visualize or simulate organizations, knowledge and relationships from various types of input data. The shape of a social network helps determine its usefulness to the individual in question. Smaller tighter networks can be less useful than larger networks with loose ties to the individual outside the main network. This is because more open networks even with weak ties and social connections, are still more likely to introduce new ideas and opportunities, than closed networks with redundant ties. In other words, a group of individual with connections to other social worlds will have access to a wider range of information than a small group of friends who only do things with each other and share only similar knowledge and opportunities.
Practically speaking social networks are rooted in an environment in which social forces may influence network structure that in turn can influence the process of cause and effect. Research into the context in which networks form and are sustained continues to be lacking but is needed in order to realize the vast influence social networking has on health.
We do know that networks have a propensity to operate on five primary pathways: social support; social influence; social engagement; person-to-person contact; and access to goods and resources. These tend to influence psychosocial aspects as well as health status, stress responses, psychological states, exposure to infectious disease agents and health promoting or damaging behaviors.
Considering the exponential rise in internet accessibility, there has also been a rapid growth in the number of US patent applications that cover new technologies related to social networking. Over the past five years, patent applications have been growing at about 250% per year. However, partially due to ethical issues and the backlog of such, only about 100 social networking applications have issued as patents.
One of these is Cancer.im. It is a social network that uses Wisdom Search technology to empower patients, advocates and volunteers against the dreaded disease Cancer. It is a product of our increasing evolution of technology. It gives one access to the latest news, unbiased information and allows through social networking, one to take back control and feel less scared of the unknown, less guilt, anger, blame or resentment.
The cause based social support network (SSN) is an evolution of the traditional social network that organizes its users for entertainment value or a cause — such as MySpace, Facebook, blogging, Twitter, etc. Specifically SSN’s are composed of miniature social networks called Micro Support Networks that revolve around a single user or Beneficiary who is facing a personal challenge related to the cause, such as Cancer. Research suggests that those patients who have a support network and who remain proactive outlive those who do not.
A SSN’s infrastructure requires its users to register and participate according to a specific user type: either Beneficiary, Advocate, or Volunteer. The goal of each Micro Support Network is to remove frustration and obstacles from a Beneficiary’s personal challenge; give the Beneficiary the ability to focus their energy on healing; empower the Beneficiary to access all information available that is relevant to their condition; surround the Beneficiary with a support community of other survivors in like situations; and enable the Beneficiary to create an informed strategy customized to their unique needs and value system, to battle the Cancer or other health concerns.
Cancer is not just a battle of one’s health, but also a battle of energy, hope and motivation. Cancer patients use energy trying to find accurate information, dealing with insurance companies, Depression, money to pay for meds and medical treatment and finding information regarding alternate treatment possibilities. All this is on top of dealing with their daily lives and responsibilities. Access to a SSN allows them to offload most of these tasks to their Micro Support Network in an organized and efficient way.
Beneficiaries have a toolset that allows them to mobilize their advocates to accomplish specific tasks or project. If a cancer patient Beneficiary has chemotherapy he/she might need a lift to and from the clinic, need meals prepared, someone to pick up medication, individuals to check up on him/her following the treatment, encouragement and to talk to or do something fun with to distract self from medical situation for a time. All tasks are divided among the Beneficiary’s Advocate network to allow him/her to focus on getting better. All members of the SSN are there to advance the cause of the Beneficiary and open communication allows for social network interaction and cultivates loyalty.