A study released today by the Joslin Diabetes Center offers some empirical evidence for the use of blogs, or what they refer to as "cyber communities," to provide support for patients with diabetes.
For the study...[they] tracked more than 330,000 visits to the discussion boards over a period of six years. In 1999 and again in 2004, computer-based customer satisfaction surveys were e-mailed directly to some of the board's registered users.
Nearly 75 percent of respondents to the study's 2004 survey rated participation in the discussion board as having a positive effect on coping with diabetes. As one woman commented, "I have found an oasis where I can be encouraged, inspired and educated by people who sincerely understand my struggles."
What's more, 71 percent of respondents stated participation helped them to feel more hopeful. One user, a representative of many, found the discussion board to be an online lifeline. "Here in Spain, I have no support," she commented. "I honestly don't know what I would do without the support I find here. It really has transformed my life and had a positive influence on the way I cope with diabetes."
[link to news release]
I expect that we will continue to see more studies (and outcomes) such as this in the months to come. Blogs are not only being explored for patient care and support services, but also as ways to reach out to specific population groups and to provide peer support for people involved in behavior change activities (weight loss, physical activity adherence). The trick with this approach, as opposed to the "en vogue" tailored health communications interventions, is that conversations are stimulated and maintained by the members of the target audience. In the tailored approach, it is usually a one-way message directed towards an individual from a researcher/clinician. I wonder which one the audience prefers?
Special thanks to The Diabetes Blog for bringing this to my attention.
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