Computer conferencing has become popular as an alternative to face-to-face conferencing in many kinds of organizations. Since users can participate at any time, from any terminal, computer conferencing makes communication very convenient, though many find the medium to be impersonal. This paper discusses the potential of computer conferencing to increase the number of people who participate in self-help groups, such as groups to help people lose weight or stop smoking. The kinds of interactions that make for successful selfhelp groups might be encouraged by a computer-conferencing format, even though there is no direct, face-to-face contact. The results of a trial smoking-cessation program which employed computer conferencing suggest that computer conferencing could play a useful rote in health promotion.
o 1986 Academic press. IK Computer conferencing allows any number of individuals to take part in a discussion, even though they may be far apart from each other and unable to all be present at the same moment. Participants in a computer conference call a central computer and read and enter conference comments at any time, from any terminal. The technique has become increasingly popular in business and professional organizations.
Unlike business meetings or telephone conferences, computer conferences can accommodate lengthy discussions without the need for time and travel, or even for all the participants to be present simultaneously.
Computer conferencing has not been widely used for health promotion groups. However, there may be a useful application among the peopie who form groups to help themselves give up smoking, lose weight, grapple with an alcohol or cocaine problem, and so on. Self-help groups which used computer conferencing would be available to the participants at all times, and remain as near as a terminal and modem. Participants who wished to remain anonymous could enter their conference comments under a pseudonym. The present paper is to discuss the potential uses and problems of computerized conferencing in