This research examines how patients with complex medical conditions collaboratively develop treatment approaches through online peer interactions, beyond traditional clinical guidelines.

• Collective knowledge building occurs as patients share experiences with conditions like cancer, mental health issues, and substance dependency recovery
• Patient expertise emerges through shared narratives about medication effectiveness, side effects, and treatment alternatives
• Treatment navigation strategies are socially constructed, helping patients interpret medical information and make informed decisions
• Healthcare implications include opportunities for clinicians to better understand patient perspectives and improve care delivery

This work highlights the importance of understanding patient communities in improving healthcare outcomes for complex conditions where standard guidelines may be insufficient.

Socially Constructed Treatment Plans: Analyzing Online Peer Interactions to Understand How Patients Navigate Complex Medical Conditions