Qualitative Assessment of an Adaptive Engagement Model for Online Health Communities (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Green ◽  
Katelyn Tente Van Horn ◽  
Ketki Gupte ◽  
Amrita Bhowmick
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

BACKGROUND Online health communities (OHC) can be a powerful tool to facilitate communication among patients, professionals and family members who live with or care for someone with a chronic health condition(s). Health Union LLC’s OHC Adaptive Engagement Model engages, empowers and encourages people to take an active role in their health. OHCs included in this study are for people living with multiple sclerosis, migraine, IBS, rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE This research uses qualitative methods to identify themes supporting the constructs of the Health Union OHC model.  Key components of the model to be tested include: content tailored to needs of community, facilitation and encouragement of social support, active moderation, opportunities for active and passive engagement, and transparency of community norms and rules. METHODS A sample of over 5,800 comments exported from over 40 Facebook posts from 6 OHCs was analyzed using the Dedoose™ qualitative data analysis software. Comments from these Facebook posts were extracted, imported into Dedoose™ software and coded. Interrater reliability of initial coding was calculated using Pearson’ Correlation Coefficient. An exploratory approach was taken in the analysis and initial codes were grouped into thematic categories and then confirmed through thematic network analysis using the Dedoose™ software tool. Thematic categories were compared for similarity and differences for each of the 6 OHCs, and by content descriptive category. RESULTS Qualitative thematic network analysis of posts and comments from 6 OHCs correspond to the primary components of the Health Union OHC Adaptive Engagement Model.  This analysis suggests that the structural elements of the model, including active site moderation, support high levels of community engagement and information sharing and mutual support of OHC participants. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative data from the 6 OHCs demonstrate the positive impact the community has on participants, often helping them reframe their healthcare experience and coping strategies. The principle of adaptive engagement is demonstrated by the thematic network analysis and illustrates the Health Union OHC Adaptive Engagement Model constructs. Different community segments have different patterns of was. This study has practical significance as it helps to demonstrate the value of online health communities for people living with chronic health conditions by providing meaningful engagement, support, and information in an accessible environment.

scholarly journals Using Qualitative Analysis to Assess a Model of Support for Online Health Communities for People Living with Chronic Health Conditions (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Green ◽  
Kaitlyn Van Horn ◽  
Ketki Gupta ◽  
Amrita Bhowmick ◽  
Michael Booth
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

BACKGROUND Online health communities (OHC) can be a powerful tool to facilitate communication among patients, professionals and family members who live with or care for someone with a chronic health condition(s). Health Union LLC’s OHC model engages, empowers and encourages people to take an active role in their health by providing content that aligns with their needs and interests and by cultivating a safe environment where communication, understanding and meaningful relationships can thrive. OHCs included in this study target people living with multiple sclerosis, migraine, IBS, rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. OBJECTIVE Using qualitative methods we sought to determine if constructs in the Health Union OHC model are supported by themes identified in OHC participant comments. Key components of the model to be tested include: content tailored to needs of community, facilitation, and encouragement of social support, active moderation, opportunities for active and passive engagement, and transparency of community norms and rules. METHODS A sample of over 5800 comments exported from over 40 Facebook posts from 6 OHCs was analyzed using the Dedoose qualitative data analysis software. Comments from these Facebook posts were extracted, imported into Dedoose software and coded. Interrater reliability of initial coding was calculated using Pearson Correlation Coefficient. An exploratory approach was taken in the analysis and initial codes were grouped into thematic categories and then confirmed through thematic network/framework analysis using the Dedosse software tool. Thematic categories were compared for similarity and differences for each of the 6 OHCs, original post type, and by the extent of active moderation evident in each comment thread. RESULTS Qualitative thematic network analysis of posts and comments from 6 OHCs correspond to the primary components of the Health Union OHC model. This analysis suggests that the structural elements of the OHC model, including active site moderation, support high levels of community engagement and information sharing and mutual support of OHC participants. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative data from the 6 OHCs demonstrates the positive impact the community has on participants, often helping them reframe their health care experience and coping strategies. The principle of adaptive engagement is demonstrated by the thematic network analysis and illustrates the Health Union OHC model constructs. Different community segments have different patterns of engagement. Our primary focus on the content of participant comments in this analysis is a current limitation. While we also examine more passive methods of liking and sharing posts utilized by OHC participants, these may warrant further analysis. This study has practical significance as it helps to demonstrate the value of online health communities for people living with chronic health conditions by providing meaningful engagement, support, and information in an accessible environment.

scholarly journals Social exchange approach in knowledge sharing of online communities – A Case of online health communities at Ho Chi Minh City

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (Q4) ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Phong Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Tuan Manh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Online Health Community ◽  
Writing Group ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Self Worth ◽  
Face Concern ◽  
Health Communities

The demand to look for information and share information in nowaday society are a huge needed, especially in the internet revolution are developing more and more. The studies proposed the model that includes the benefit factors (sense of self-worth, face concern, reputation and social support) and cost factors (executional costs, cognitive costs) with the points of view of Social Exchange Theory that influences to knowledge donating behavior, knowledge collecting behavior and community promotion among members. The studies will be verified in health care member of the online health communities in Ho Chi Minh City. Quantitative research also was conducted 336 samples were used to evaluate and test the research. The results of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) show that the theoretical models are suited the market data and hypotheses of the research model are supported. In particular, factors of the benifit group (sense of self-worth, face concern, reputation and social support) have a positive impact on the knowledge donating behavior and knowledge collecting behavior. In addition, factors of the cost group (executional costs, cognitive costs) have a negative impact the knowledge donating behavior and knowledge collecting behavior. Knowledge donating behavior and knowledge collecting behavior have a positive impact on community promotion to the online health community. In addition, the results of multi-group analysis that there is no difference between knowledge sharing’s writing group and no knowledge sharing’s writing group. The results may be usefull for online health community, hospitals, doctors, individuals and businesses.

scholarly journals Development and Evaluation of the Canteen Connect Online Health Community: Using a Participatory Design Approach in Meeting the Needs of Young People Impacted by Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Jennifer Cohen ◽  
Pandora Patterson ◽  
Melissa Noke ◽  
Kristina Clarke ◽  
Olga Husson
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Design ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Familial Cancer ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Implementation Evaluation ◽  
Online Health Community ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adults ◽  
Health Communities

Adolescent and young adults (AYAs) impacted by their own or familial cancer require information and peer support throughout the cancer journey to ameliorate feelings of isolation. Online Health Communities (OHC) provide social networks, support, and health-related content to people united by a shared health experience. Using a participatory design (PD) process, Canteen developed Canteen Connect (CC), an OHC for AYAs impacted by cancer. This manuscript outlines the process used to develop CC: (1) A mixed-methods implementation evaluation of Version I of CC (CCv.1); (2) Qualitative workshops utilizing strengths-based approaches of PD and appreciative inquiry to inform the development of CC Version 2 (CCv.2); quantitative implementation evaluation to assess the appropriateness, acceptability, and effectiveness of CCv.2. Through several iterations designed and tested in collaboration with AYAs, CCv.2 had improvements in the user experience, such as the ability to send a private message to other users and the site becoming mobile responsive. Results from the evaluation showed CCv.2 was appropriate for connecting with other AYAs. Most AYAs reported satisfaction with CCv.2 and a positive impact on their feelings of sadness, worry, and/or anxiety. CCv.2 fills an important service provision gap in providing an appropriate and acceptable OHC for AYAs impacted by cancer, with initial promising psychological outcomes.

What patients with eosinophilic esophagitis may not share with their providers: a qualitative assessment of online health communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy W Chang ◽  
Vincent L Chen ◽  
Joel H Rubenstein ◽  
Evan S Dellon ◽  
Lauren P Wallner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eosinophilic Esophagitis ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Sources Of Knowledge ◽  
Electronic Health ◽  
Health Communities

Summary Background Little is known about how patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) experience their symptoms, receive care, and cope with their disease. Patients commonly seek peer support from online communities, which provide insights on unmet needs and barriers to care. We performed a qualitative analysis of electronic health forums to characterize patient-to-patient conversations about EoE symptoms and the experience of disease. Methods We identified three publicly accessible electronic health forums hosting EoE communities. Conversation threads posted between July 2018 and June 2020 were coded using emergent and a priori codes based on the THRIVE conceptual framework of coping with chronic illness. Results Of 659 threads (4,933 posts) collected over two years, a random sample of 240 threads (30 per 3-month quarter) were selected for analysis. Thematic saturation was reached after 172 threads. Patient experience of EoE was driven by their perspectives in four key domains: (i) perception of EoE as episodic rather than chronic, (ii) treatment choices, (iii) personal definitions of success in the disease, and (iv) views of providers. Conclusion Online health communities are a valuable and unfiltered source of patient perspectives that can be used to understand patient needs and goals. EoE patients interpret their disease as sporadic events and lack reliable sources of knowledge, which may influence how patients prioritize treatment. If providers are to succeed in providing high-quality EoE care, they need to equip themselves with evidence-based knowledge, engage in shared decision making, and look outside of clinical settings to recognize barriers to disease management.

Offline Reputation Matters: Physicians’ Online Reputation Bias in Online Health Communities (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Jiang ◽  
Yuxin Sun ◽  
Yuanyuan DANG ◽  
Shanshan Guo ◽  
Shuai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Medical Information ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities ◽  
The Incentive Mechanism ◽  
Online Reputation ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Online health communities (OHCs) have gradually become an important service platform for patients to communicate with physicians and obtain treatment and related medical information. With the rise of OHCs, an increasing number of scholars have begun to study the incentive mechanism of a physician’s online contribution behavior. However, previous studies have ignored the limited effect of online reputation on a physician’s online contribution and the moderating effect of offline reputation. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that online reputation shows an inverted U-shaped relation with a physician’s contribution and that offline reputation reduces the inverted U-shaped relation, thus weakening the positive impact of reputation on performance and strengthening the negative impact of reputation performance. METHODS Based on incentive theory and prior studies, we proposed three hypotheses. We collected the panel data of 6,648 physicians from Good Physician, one of the largest OHCs in China. An empirical model was built to test our hypotheses. Additionally, the variables representing online reputation were replaced and the data set was split for the robustness check. RESULTS First, our results support the hypothesis of an inverted U-shaped relationship between a physician’s online reputation and their online contribution behavior(β=-0.127, t=13.624, P<.001). Second, we identify the bipolar impact of online and offline reputation on a physician’s online contribution. Specifically, over a period of time, online reputation will promote the contribution of physicians(slope=1.514, P<.001), while offline reputation will inhibit the contribution. Third, our research shows that offline reputation can weaken the impact of online reputation on a physician’s online contribution. CONCLUSIONS We amended the bias of the positive linear correlation between online reputations and online contributions in OHCs. Moreover, by identifying the moderating effect of offline reputation, we ameliorated the interpreting mechanism of online reputation on a physician’s online contribution. The findings improve our understanding of physicians' online contribution behaviors and contribute to the literature on OHCs. Our research can provide guidance for an OHC to design effective personalized incentive mechanisms and encourage physicians to provide more high-quality services.

scholarly journals Assessment of Adaptive Engagement and Support Model for People With Chronic Health Conditions in Online Health Communities: Combined Content Analysis (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M Green ◽  
Katelyn Tente Van Horn ◽  
Ketki Gupte ◽  
Megan Evans ◽  
Sara Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities

BACKGROUND With the pervasiveness of social media, online health communities (OHCs) are an important tool for facilitating information sharing and support among people with chronic health conditions. Importantly, OHCs offer insight into conversations about the lived experiences of people with particular health conditions. Little is known about the aspects of OHCs that are important to maintain safe and productive conversations that support health. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the provision of social support and the role of active moderation in OHCs developed in accordance with and managed by an adaptive engagement model. This study also aimed to identify key elements of the model that are central to the development, maintenance, and adaptation of OHCs for people with chronic health conditions. METHODS This study used combined content analysis, a mixed methods approach, to analyze sampled Facebook post comments from 6 OHCs to understand how key aspects of the adaptive engagement model facilitate different types of social support. OHCs included in this study are for people living with multiple sclerosis, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. An exploratory approach was used in the analysis, and initial codes were grouped into thematic categories and then confirmed through thematic network analysis using the Dedoose qualitative analysis software tool. Thematic categories were compared for similarities and differences for each of the 6 OHCs and by topic discussed. RESULTS Data on the reach and engagement of the Facebook posts and the analysis of the sample of 5881 comments demonstrate that people with chronic health conditions want to engage on the web and find value in supporting and sharing their experiences with others. Most comments made in these Facebook posts were expressions of social support for others living with the same health condition (3405/5881, 57.89%). Among the comments with an element of support, those where community members validated the knowledge or experiences of others were most frequent (1587/3405, 46.61%), followed by the expression of empathy and understanding (1089/3405, 31.98%). Even among posts with more factual content, such as insurance coverage issues, user comments still had frequent expressions of support for others (80/213, 37.5%). CONCLUSIONS The analysis of this OHC adaptive engagement model in action shows that the foundational elements—social support, engagement, and moderation—can effectively be used to provide a rich and dynamic community experience for individuals with chronic health conditions. Social support is demonstrated in a variety of ways, including sharing information or validating information shared by others, expressions of empathy, and sharing encouraging statements with others.

Considering Abductive Thematic Network Analysis with ATLAS-ti 6.2

2013 ◽  
pp. 170-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Elisabeth Faxelid
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Qualitative Data Analysis ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Thematic Network Analysis

Social research carried out through the use of new media technologies can generate large volumes of qualitative data. A systematic and rigorous approach is therefore important in analysing large volumes of qualitative data. Computer-aided qualitative data analysis programmes—such as Atlas-ti 6.2—have managed to facilitate the process of data analysis, to some extent. However, researchers remain central in designing and deciding how the qualitative data gathered as evidence from the field are to be analysed, interpreted, and presented. Within this context, this chapter aims to consider Abductive Thematic Network Analysis (ATNA) with Atlas-ti 6.2 as a systematic way of carrying out qualitative data analysis. A data set from a study on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health is used as an example for facilitating the explanation on the steps in carrying out, and for providing an illustration of the outcome of, ATNA. The objectives of this chapter are to make a brief presentation of abductive approach to social research, describe ATNA, and demonstrate the techniques for such an analysis using Atlas-ti 6.2. The chapter concludes that ATNA can be a useful systematic way to proceed with qualitative data analysis that can be facilitated by the use of Atlas-ti 6.2.

scholarly journals Using Qualitative Analysis to Assess a Model of Support for Online Health Communities for People Living with Chronic Health Conditions

Iproceedings ◽  
10.2196/11774 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e11774
Author(s):  
Brian M Green ◽  
Kaitlyn Van Horn ◽  
Ketki Gupta ◽  
Amrita Bhowmick ◽  
Michael Booth
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities

scholarly journals Assessment of Adaptive Engagement and Support Model for People With Chronic Health Conditions in Online Health Communities: Combined Content Analysis

10.2196/17338 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e17338
Author(s):  
Brian M Green ◽  
Katelyn Tente Van Horn ◽  
Ketki Gupte ◽  
Megan Evans ◽  
Sara Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chronic Health ◽  
Online Health Communities ◽  
Health Communities

Background With the pervasiveness of social media, online health communities (OHCs) are an important tool for facilitating information sharing and support among people with chronic health conditions. Importantly, OHCs offer insight into conversations about the lived experiences of people with particular health conditions. Little is known about the aspects of OHCs that are important to maintain safe and productive conversations that support health. Objective This study aimed to assess the provision of social support and the role of active moderation in OHCs developed in accordance with and managed by an adaptive engagement model. This study also aimed to identify key elements of the model that are central to the development, maintenance, and adaptation of OHCs for people with chronic health conditions. Methods This study used combined content analysis, a mixed methods approach, to analyze sampled Facebook post comments from 6 OHCs to understand how key aspects of the adaptive engagement model facilitate different types of social support. OHCs included in this study are for people living with multiple sclerosis, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. An exploratory approach was used in the analysis, and initial codes were grouped into thematic categories and then confirmed through thematic network analysis using the Dedoose qualitative analysis software tool. Thematic categories were compared for similarities and differences for each of the 6 OHCs and by topic discussed. Results Data on the reach and engagement of the Facebook posts and the analysis of the sample of 5881 comments demonstrate that people with chronic health conditions want to engage on the web and find value in supporting and sharing their experiences with others. Most comments made in these Facebook posts were expressions of social support for others living with the same health condition (3405/5881, 57.89%). Among the comments with an element of support, those where community members validated the knowledge or experiences of others were most frequent (1587/3405, 46.61%), followed by the expression of empathy and understanding (1089/3405, 31.98%). Even among posts with more factual content, such as insurance coverage issues, user comments still had frequent expressions of support for others (80/213, 37.5%). Conclusions The analysis of this OHC adaptive engagement model in action shows that the foundational elements—social support, engagement, and moderation—can effectively be used to provide a rich and dynamic community experience for individuals with chronic health conditions. Social support is demonstrated in a variety of ways, including sharing information or validating information shared by others, expressions of empathy, and sharing encouraging statements with others.

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