TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the characteristics and preferences for online support groups
T2 - mixed method study
AU - Plinsinga, Melanie Louise
AU - Besomi, Manuela
AU - Maclachlan, Liam
AU - Melo, Luciano
AU - Robbins, Sarah
AU - Lawford, Belinda J.
AU - Teo, Pek Ling
AU - Mills, Kathryn
AU - Setchell, Jenny
AU - Egerton, Thorlene
AU - Eyles, Jillian
AU - Hall, Leanne
AU - Mellor, Rebecca
AU - Hunter, David J.
AU - Hodges, Paul
AU - Vicenzino, Bill
AU - Bennell, Kim
N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2019. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.
PY - 2019/12/3
Y1 - 2019/12/3
N2 - Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, disabling, and prevalent disorder. As there is no cure for OA, long-term self-management is paramount. Support groups (SGs) can facilitate self-management among people living with OA. Understanding preferences in design and features of SGs, including online SGs (OSGs), among people with OA can inform future development of SG interventions for this condition.Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate health care- and health information-seeking behavior, digital literacy, and preferences for the design of SGs in people with OA. The study also explored the perceived barriers and enablers to being involved in OSGs.Methods: An online survey study was conducted with a mixed method design (quantitative and qualitative). Individuals aged ≥45 years with knee, hip, or back pain for ≥3 months were recruited from an extant patient database of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research via email invitations. Quantitative elements of the survey included questions about sociodemographic background; health care- and health information-seeking behavior; digital literacy; and previous participation in, and preferences for, SGs and OSGs. Respondents were classified into 2 groups (Yes-SG and No-SG) based on previous participation or interest in an SG. Group differences were assessed with Chi-square tests (significance level set at 5%). Responses to free-text questions relating to preferences regarding OSG engagement were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive thematic analysis.Results: A total of 415 people with OA completed the survey (300/415, 72.3% females; 252/415, 61.0% lived in a major city). The Yes-SG group included 307 (307/415, 73.9%) participants. Between the Yes-SG and No-SG groups, there were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health care- and health information-seeking behavior, and digital literacy. An online format was preferred by 126/259 (48.7%) of the Yes-SG group. Trained peer facilitators were preferred, and trustworthiness of advice and information were highly prioritized by the respondents. Qualitative analysis for OSG participation revealed 5 main themes. Lack of time and motivation were the main barriers identified. The main enablers were related to accessibility, enjoyment of the experience, and the content of the discussed information.Conclusions: These findings highlight the preferences in design features and content of SGs and OSGs and may assist in the further development of such groups.
AB - Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, disabling, and prevalent disorder. As there is no cure for OA, long-term self-management is paramount. Support groups (SGs) can facilitate self-management among people living with OA. Understanding preferences in design and features of SGs, including online SGs (OSGs), among people with OA can inform future development of SG interventions for this condition.Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate health care- and health information-seeking behavior, digital literacy, and preferences for the design of SGs in people with OA. The study also explored the perceived barriers and enablers to being involved in OSGs.Methods: An online survey study was conducted with a mixed method design (quantitative and qualitative). Individuals aged ≥45 years with knee, hip, or back pain for ≥3 months were recruited from an extant patient database of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research via email invitations. Quantitative elements of the survey included questions about sociodemographic background; health care- and health information-seeking behavior; digital literacy; and previous participation in, and preferences for, SGs and OSGs. Respondents were classified into 2 groups (Yes-SG and No-SG) based on previous participation or interest in an SG. Group differences were assessed with Chi-square tests (significance level set at 5%). Responses to free-text questions relating to preferences regarding OSG engagement were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive thematic analysis.Results: A total of 415 people with OA completed the survey (300/415, 72.3% females; 252/415, 61.0% lived in a major city). The Yes-SG group included 307 (307/415, 73.9%) participants. Between the Yes-SG and No-SG groups, there were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health care- and health information-seeking behavior, and digital literacy. An online format was preferred by 126/259 (48.7%) of the Yes-SG group. Trained peer facilitators were preferred, and trustworthiness of advice and information were highly prioritized by the respondents. Qualitative analysis for OSG participation revealed 5 main themes. Lack of time and motivation were the main barriers identified. The main enablers were related to accessibility, enjoyment of the experience, and the content of the discussed information.Conclusions: These findings highlight the preferences in design features and content of SGs and OSGs and may assist in the further development of such groups.
KW - Osteoarthritis
KW - Self-help groups
KW - Self-management
KW - Surveys and questionnaires
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85075914495&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1091302
UR - http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1079078
UR - http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1102905
U2 - 10.2196/15987
DO - 10.2196/15987
M3 - Article
C2 - 31793893
SN - 1438-8871
VL - 21
SP - 1
EP - 13
JO - Journal of Medical Internet Research
JF - Journal of Medical Internet Research
IS - 12
M1 - e15987
ER -