Shigaki Cheryl L, Smarr Karen L, Gong Yang, Donovan-Hanson Kathleen, Siva Chokkalingam, Johnson Rebecca A, Ge Bin, Musser Dale R
Department of Health Psychology, University of Missouri, School of Health Professions One Hospital Drive, DC116.88, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
Chronic Illn. 2008 Dec;4(4):239-46. doi: 10.1177/1742395308097862.
To evaluate social interactions among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), participating in an empirically based, cognitive-behavioural, self-management (SM), and peer-support program, delivered in an online format.
Thirty individuals with RA were recruited online. Subjects were a subset of participants in the treatment arm of a waiting-list controlled study testing the effectiveness of a 10-week, online, SM education and peer support program. Primary outcomes were process variables describing social activity in the online environment during active treatment. Qualitative review of discussion board posts was undertaken to gain insight into participants' perceptions of social interactions.
Participants spent a large proportion of logged-in time accessing educational materials and community-level activity was vibrant, with members utilizing the discussion board and e-mail. The Chat feature was less well-used. Discussion board posts regarding RAHelp were very positive, especially in regard to perceived supportiveness and bonding among participants, and a sense of feeling uniquely understood by others who have RA. Concern arose in response to periods in which the discussion board was 'too quiet'.
Our work complements the emerging literature supporting acceptance and utility of Internet-based programming as a venue for SM education and social interaction among individuals with chronic illness.
评估类风湿关节炎（RA）患者参与一项以实证为基础、认知行为、自我管理（SM）和同伴支持的在线形式项目时的社交互动情况。
通过网络招募了30名RA患者。这些受试者是一项等待名单对照研究治疗组参与者的一部分，该研究测试了一个为期10周的在线SM教育和同伴支持项目的有效性。主要结果是描述积极治疗期间在线环境中社交活动的过程变量。对讨论板帖子进行了定性审查，以深入了解参与者对社交互动的看法。
参与者登录时间的很大一部分用于访问教育材料，社区层面的活动很活跃，成员们使用讨论板和电子邮件。聊天功能的使用较少。关于RAHelp的讨论板帖子非常积极，特别是在参与者之间的感知支持性和联系方面，以及有一种被其他患有RA的人独特理解的感觉。对于讨论板“过于安静”的时期，人们表达了担忧。
我们的工作补充了新兴文献，支持将基于互联网的项目作为慢性病患者SM教育和社交互动的场所的可接受性和实用性。
