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Online Patient Experiences: Exploring Differences Between Health Groups

Authors:
Claire Hardy
Elizabeth Sillence
Pamela Briggs
Peter Harris

Keywords: online patient experiences; engagement; secondary analysis; asthma; smoking cessation; multiple sclerosis carers

Abstract:
In this paper, data from qualitative investigations with three discrete health groups were pooled in order to identify factors that affect engagement with online material. A total sample of 74 participants (29 asthma sufferers, 25 smokers considering quitting, and 20 personal carers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS)) took part in a study in which they examined and commented on e-health information, including shared patient experiences available online. The findings suggest that engagement is influenced by the availability of off-line information, the ability to cure or control the health condition, and the daily impact the of health condition. Some health conditions (e.g., individuals with MS and their carers) may be more likely than others to engage with websites containing patient experiences, therefore targeting such groups with e-health initiatives could be advantageous.

Pages: 135 to 140

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2012

Publication date: October 21, 2012

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4553

ISBN: 978-1-61208-243-1

Location: Venice, Italy

Dates: from October 21, 2012 to October 26, 2012