JMIR-E-collection 'Peer-to-peer support'

E-collection 'Peer-to-peer support'

Online Information Exchanges for Parents of Children With a Rare Health Condition: Key Findings From an Online Support Community

Florin Oprescu, Shelly Campo, John Lowe, Julie Andsager, Jose A Morcuende

J Med Internet Res 2013 (Jan 22); 15(1):e16

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Background: The Internet provides new opportunities for parents of children with difficult illnesses and disabilities to find information and support. The Internet is particularly important for caregivers of children with special needs due to numerous health-related decisions they face. For at-risk populations, online support communities can become key settings and channels for health promotion and communication. Objective: This study is an initial exploration of information seeking and...

Interaction Patterns of Nurturant Support Exchanged in Online Health Social Networking

Katherine Y Chuang, Christopher C Yang

J Med Internet Res 2012 (May 03); 14(3):e54

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Background: Expressing emotion in online support communities is an important aspect of enabling e-patients to connect with each other and expand their social resources. Indirectly it increases the amount of support for coping with health issues. Exploring the supportive interaction patterns in online health social networking would help us better understand how technology features impacts user behavior in this context. Objective: To build on previous research that identified different types of...

Benefits of Peer Support in Online Japanese Breast Cancer Communities: Differences Between Lurkers and Posters

Yoko Setoyama, Yoshihiko Yamazaki, Kazuhiro Namayama

J Med Internet Res 2011 (Dec 29); 13(4):e122

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Background: Web 2.0 has improved interactions among peers on the Internet, especially for the many online patient communities that have emerged over the past decades. Online communities are said to be particularly beneficial peer support resources for patients with breast cancer. However, most studies of online patient communities have focused on those members who post actively (posters), even though there are many members who participate without posting (lurkers). In addition, little...

Determinants of Engagement in Face-to-Face and Online Patient Support Groups

Cornelia F Van Uden-Kraan, Constance HC Drossaert, Erik Taal, Willem M Smit, Hein J Bernelot Moens, Mart AFJ Van de Laar

J Med Internet Res 2011 (Dec 07); 13(4):e106

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Background: Although peer-to-peer contact might empower patients in various ways, studies show that only a few patients actually engage in support groups. Objective: The objective of our study was to explore factors that facilitate or impede engagement in face-to-face and online peer support, using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 679 patients being treated for arthritis, breast cancer, or fibromyalgia at two Dutch regional hospitals. Results: Our...