Patients' attitudes toward internet cancer support groups.

@article{citeulike:1640647, abstract = {PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' attitudes toward Internet cancer support groups (ICSGs) through an online forum. RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative study using a feminist perspective. SETTING: Internet and real settings. PARTICIPANTS: 16 patients with cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: An online forum was held for one month with six discussion topics. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Attitudes toward ICSGs. FINDINGS: Through the data-analysis process, four themes were found related to patients' attitudes toward ICSGs. First, the participants universalized patients' needs for and attitudes toward ICSGs. Second, most of the participants wanted to use ICSGs for emotional support, information, and interactions. Third, many of the participants used ICSGs because they could reach out to other patients with cancer without traveling and without interrupting their busy schedules. Finally, many participants were concerned about the security of interactions on ICSGs, so they wanted ICSGs that could ensure privacy and safeguard the anonymity and confidentiality of what they shared online. CONCLUSIONS: Patients view ICSGs positively. Additional studies should examine gender-specific and multilanguage ICSGs by recruiting more ethnic minority patients. INTERPRETATION: Despite concerns about the security of Internet interactions, ICSGs would be an excellent source of social support that is acceptable to patients with cancer.}, address = {The School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. eim@mail.utexas.edu}, author = {Im, E. O. and Chee, W. and Lim, H. J. and Liu, Y. and Guevara, E. and Kim, K. S. }, citeulike-article-id = {1640647}, doi = {10.1188/07.ONF.705-712}, issn = {1538-0688}, journal = {Oncol Nurs Forum}, month = {May}, number = {3}, pages = {705--712}, posted-at = {2007-09-10 09:41:40}, priority = {2}, title = {Patients' attitudes toward internet cancer support groups.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/07.ONF.705-712}, volume = {34}, year = {2007} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1640647 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1640647 TI - Patients' attitudes toward internet cancer support groups. JF - Oncol Nurs Forum VL - 34 IS - 3 SP - 705 EP - 712 AD - The School of Nursing, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. eim@mail.utexas.edu SN - 1538-0688 N2 - PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' attitudes toward Internet cancer support groups (ICSGs) through an online forum. RESEARCH APPROACH: Qualitative study using a feminist perspective. SETTING: Internet and real settings. PARTICIPANTS: 16 patients with cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: An online forum was held for one month with six discussion topics. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Attitudes toward ICSGs. FINDINGS: Through the data-analysis process, four themes were found related to patients' attitudes toward ICSGs. First, the participants universalized patients' needs for and attitudes toward ICSGs. Second, most of the participants wanted to use ICSGs for emotional support, information, and interactions. Third, many of the participants used ICSGs because they could reach out to other patients with cancer without traveling and without interrupting their busy schedules. Finally, many participants were concerned about the security of interactions on ICSGs, so they wanted ICSGs that could ensure privacy and safeguard the anonymity and confidentiality of what they shared online. CONCLUSIONS: Patients view ICSGs positively. Additional studies should examine gender-specific and multilanguage ICSGs by recruiting more ethnic minority patients. INTERPRETATION: Despite concerns about the security of Internet interactions, ICSGs would be an excellent source of social support that is acceptable to patients with cancer. AU - Im, EO AU - Chee, W AU - Lim, HJ AU - Liu, Y AU - Guevara, E AU - Kim, KS PY - 2007/05// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/07.ONF.705-712 ER -