Objective: The current research investigates the potential of online support groups (OSGs) to foster empowerment and how membership might affect the patient/health professional relationship.
Methods: 246 participants across 33 OSGs completed an online questionnaire.
Results: All empowerment processes and outcomes identified by van Uden-Kraan et al. [1] were found to be present. All empowerment outcomes were adequately predicted by empowerment processes. The majority (82.2%) of participants had discussed information found online with their health professional and most (74.2%) were satisfied with the response. Around 60% of participants felt membership of an OSG had affected the relationship with their health professional and from qualitative responses the effects were mostly positive.
Conclusion: OSGs have the potential to produce empowerment outcomes for those who choose to use them. Furthermore, users report a positive reaction to information found online from their health professionals.
Practice Implications: Although not all patients will benefit from using OSGs, health professionals suggesting their use could ensure that they reach the maximum receptive audience. Furthermore, this research could be used to encourage a more 'net friendly' attitude amongst health professionals.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2010.05.029 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
[Not Available].
Can Rev Sociol
January 2025
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Montréal, Québec, Canada.
The high social value placed on motherhood often means that childless women experience family and social stigmatization. Faced with this situation, some childless women join Internet discussion groups to share their experiences. Based on the testimonies of Quebec women who were involuntarily infertile, this article examines how online discussion groups enabled childless women to come together, support each other, denounce the forms of devaluation they suffered in the social and intimate spheres, and claim their specific role and place in their family and society.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFService capacity and disability resource integration: A strategic survey of immigrant and refugee-serving agencies in Illinois.
Am J Community Psychol
January 2025
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Central Management and Triton College, Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Immigrants and refugees in the United States often face significant barriers in accessing social services, including mental health support, legal assistance, ESL or related education, housing, vocational training, workforce resources, transportation, and citizenship support. This article explores the strengths and challenges of community-based organizations welcoming centers (CBO WC) in Illinois that serve these populations, including people with disabilities, in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. The Immigrant and Refugee-Led Capacity Development Network of Illinois, based at the University of Illinois Chicago, collaborated with the state's Office of Welcoming Centers to explore the service capacities of 17 CBO grantees.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: There is little evidence on the use or potential use of NHS repositories within the UK.
Methods: A mixed methods (quantitative/qualitative) study of two repositories: amber-the home of ambulance service research, and East Midlands Evidence Repository (EMER). A structured online questionnaire was distributed via the repository home page, and promoted via social media, email networks, and lists.
Peer support from social networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) has been recognised as a critical driver of engagement with HIV prevention. Using data from an online cross-sectional survey of 1,032 GBMSM aged 18 or over in Australia, a latent class analysis was conducted to categorise participants based on social support, LGBTQ + community involvement, and social engagement with gay men and LGBTQ + people. Comparisons between classes were assessed using multivariable multinomial logistic regression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!