Introduction: Online Health Forums (OHFs) allow patient learning and therapeutic patient education (TPE). To reinforce the pedagogical dimension of these tools, it is necessary to understand the learning processes and conditions involved in OHFs. A potential framework for the analysis of this phenomenon is self-directed learning (SDL).
Objective: The objective is to propose a framework for the analysis of learning and TPE in OHFs, based on existing SDL theories. This could allow to identify the learning characteristics of OHFs and to identify potential implications for TPE.
Method: A narrative review was conducted on the basis of 40 publications whose analysis through three categories (elements of SDL's definition, learner role and environmental impact) allowed to identify the explanatory theories of SDL.
Results: The main result is a proposition for an analytical framework to examine OHFs according to their self-formative characteristics and, then, discuss their links with TPE programs. Indeed, similar principles between SDL and TPE are emerging such as the identification of needs, the autonomy of patients/learners, and the place of Self Efficacy. These similarities highlight the potential complementarity between OHFs and SDL.
Conclusion: SDL allows us to understand how Internet users learn on OHFs. Although links between SDL, OHFs and TPE are identified, a better understanding of the learning modes used in OHFs and their functioning according to the user profile could clarify their learning potential and their empowering effect.