ArticlePloS one2014
"I can also serve as an inspiration": a qualitative study of the TB&Me blogging experience and its role in MDR-TB treatment.
Article in PloS one, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
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- "You have people here to help you, people like me." A Qualitative Analysis of a Blogging Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Depression or Anxiety.Journal of technology in behavioral science · 2021Article
- Exploring Manifestations of TB-Related Stigma Experienced by Women in Kolkata, India.Annals of global health · 2018Article
- The emerging use of social media for health-related purposes in low and middle-income countries: A scoping review.International journal of medical informatics · 2018Article
- Views of Community Managers on Knowledge Co-creation in Online Communities for People With Disabilities: Qualitative Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2017Article
- Hospitalized care for MDR-TB in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: a qualitative study.BMC infectious diseases · 2017Article
- Identifying common barriers and facilitators to linkage and retention in chronic disease care in western Kenya.BMC public health · 2016Article
- A Bridging Opportunities Work-frame to develop mobile applications for clinical decision making.Future science OA · 2015Article
- Social Media and Organ Donation: Pros and Cons.Indian journal of nephrologyReview
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4 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundIn 2011, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) established a blogging project, "TB&Me," to enable patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to share their experiences. By September 2012, 13 MDR-TB patients had blogged, either directly or with assistance, from the UK, Australia, Philippines, Swaziland, Central African Republic, Uganda, South Africa, India, and Armenia. Due to the lack of research on the potential for social media to support MDR-TB treatment and the innovative nature of the blog, we decided to conduct a qualitative study to examine patient and staff experiences. Our aim was to identify potential risks and benefits associated with blogging to enable us to determine whether social media had a role to play in supporting patients with MDR-TB. METHODS AND
findingsParticipants were identified and selected purposively. TB&Me bloggers, project staff, MSF headquarters staff involved with TB and WHO European Region TB policy advisors were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Twenty interviews were conducted (five with bloggers). Data analysis drew upon principles of grounded theory, with constant comparison of data, cases and categories, and attention to deviant cases. We found that the TB&Me blog was associated with identified health benefits, with no reported instances of harm. There were three main findings: blogging was reported as useful for adherence to DR-TB treatment and supportive of the treatment-taking process by all bloggers and project staff; blogging provided support to patients (peer support, shared experience and reduction in isolation); and the blog was perceived as giving patients strength and voice.
conclusionThe TB&Me blog was seen to be associated with positive identified health and emotional benefits. Component 5 of the Stop TB Global Plan highlights the importance of empowering TB patients and communities. Blogging could be a useful tool to help achieve that ambition.
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