ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2019
Exploring the Characteristics and Preferences for Online Support Groups: Mixed Method Study.
Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Rehabilitation Applications Based on Behavioral Therapy for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Pooled it
- Urologists' Estimation of Online Support Group Utilization Behavior of Their Patients With Newly Diagnosed Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer in Germany: Predefined Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Trial
- Trauma narratives and healing of offspring caregivers of breast cancer patients: a mixed qualitative methods study.BMC psychology · 2025Article
- Online Support Groups for Family Caregivers: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2023Article
- Lessons learnt from a nationally funded training and mentoring programme for early-mid career musculoskeletal researchers in Australia.Musculoskeletal care · 2023Article
- A Study of Global Quality Scale and Reliability Scores for Chest Pain: An Instagram-Post Analysis.Cureus · 2023Article
- Multilevel Classification of Users' Needs in Chinese Online Medical and Health Communities: Model Development and Evaluation Based on Graph Convolutional Network.JMIR formative research · 2023Article
- Mind the Gap: Exploring Nutritional Health Compared With Weight Management Interests of Individuals with Osteoarthritis.Current developments in nutrition · 2022Article
- Expert-Moderated Peer-to-Peer Online Support Group for People With Knee Osteoarthritis: Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study.JMIR formative research · 2022Article
- Development of a Social Network for People Without a Diagnosis (RarePairs): Evaluation Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2020Article
- The Relationship Between Engagement in Online Support Groups and Social Isolation Among Military Caregivers: Longitudinal Questionnaire Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2020Article
- Exploring the Factors Influencing Consumers to Voluntarily Reward Free Health Service Contributors in Online Health Communities: Empirical Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2020Article
- An Internet-Based Consumer Resource for People with Low Back Pain (MyBackPain): Development and Evaluation.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
17 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundOsteoarthritis (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.
objectiveThe 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.
methodsAn 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.
resultsA 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.
conclusionsThese findings highlight the preferences in design features and content of SGs and OSGs and may assist in the further development of such groups.
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