Accessibility, acceptability, and accuracy of online support groups for primary care conditions
Accessibility, acceptability, and accuracy of online support groups for primary care conditions
Online support groups (e.g., online forums and social media groups) having become increasingly popular for people living with or caring for others with long-term health conditions. Learning new ways of managing health, sharing experiences with others, and building friendships are some of the key drivers for using them. However, sometimes, there is concern about the quality of health information in online support groups and the potential impact of poor-quality information on health. Many long-term conditions such as eczema, high blood pressure, and pelvic floor disorders can be complicated for patients and carers to manage. Therefore, access to acceptable and accurate online information is crucial.
Primary healthcare professionals, (e.g., general practitioners, practice nurses, community pharmacists and health visitors) are a trusted first point of contact for patients and have a breadth of experience and knowledge about different health conditions. Could they play a helpful role in approving the quality of information in online support groups? How would this work?
Identify existing research on quality approving health information, to gain an understanding into the range and operations of processes currently in use for quality approval of online health information
Investigate the quality of information shared in online support groups, about common conditions managed in primary care