Communication for “patient liberation”. The role of new media in the case of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in multiple sclerosis (MS)

The article examines the opportunities for change in new media narratives. In this case new media become tools calling for “patient liberation”. A case-based qualitative study was developed and a phenomenological-interpretative-anthropological narrative-based medical approach was applied to examine written narrations produced online by patients, to gain insights into their experiences of illness and underlying socio-cultural factors. We found that online narrative played a significant role leading to greater awareness and individual empowerment of patients, and fostering mutual support and the development of community actions at the collective level.