Dafna Grosberg*, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, Ramat Gan, Israel Racheli Magnezi, Department of Management, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel Yoav Bergman*, Interdisciplinary Department for Social Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel, Ramat Gan, Israel Track: Research Presentation Topic: Building virtual communities and social networking applications for patients and consumers Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Mermaid Room: Room 2 - Aldgate/Bishopsgate Date: 2013-09-24 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM Last modified: 2013-09-25 Free Full Paper

If you are the presenter of this abstract (or if you cite this abstract in a talk or on a poster), please show the QR code in your slide or poster (QR code contains this URL).

Background: The use of medical online support groups for support, peer-to-peer connections, and obtaining health information has grown dramatically in recent years. Participation in an online support group positively effects self-efficacy and patient empowerment. Patients are given knowledge and tools to manage their chronic health condition more effectively. Thus, we can deduce that patient activation also increases. However, little is known about the effects of participation in online support groups and patient activation across disease groups.
Objective: to evaluate the effects and benefits of participation in a medical online support group and to determine which variables predict site usefulness, while examining specific changes in patient activation measures over the course of medical online support group use.
Methods: Data were collected from Camoni – the first Hebrew online medical social network. It offers medical advice, includes blogs, forums, support groups, internal mail, chats and an opportunity to consult with experts. We focused on the five largest, most active communities: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, spinal injury and depression/anxiety. Recruitment was conducted during a three-month period in which a link to the study questionnaire was displayed on the Camoni home page. Three questionnaires were used: A thirteen-item measure of perceived efficacy (Cronbach's alpha=.93), to estimate the extent to which an individual found the website helpful and informative; A nine-item measure of active involvement in the website (Cronbach's alpha=.84) and The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13, Cronbach's alpha=.86), which assesses a patient’s level of active participation in treatment.
Results: 296 participated. Participants 30-39 years of age scored higher in active involvement than those 40-49 (p < .05), 50-64 (p < .01) or 65+ (p < .05). Respondents 20-29 scored higher in perceived efficacy than those 50-64 (p < .05) and 65+ (p < .05). Those aged 20-29 scored significantly lower in the PAM-13 scale than those aged 30-39 (p < .01) and 50-64 (p < .05). Men and women had similar PAM-13 scores (F (9,283) =.17, p > .05). Several variables were significant predictors for perceived efficacy. Age was a negative predictor; younger age was indicative of higher perceived efficacy. Active involvement was a positive predictor. There was a negative connection found between PAM scores and efficacy, as taking a less active role in one's own medical care predicted higher website efficacy. A trend toward frequency of website activity was found, as higher frequency was associated with increased efficacy.
Conclusions: Online social health networks can be particularly helpful to individuals with lower patient activation. Our findings add information regarding the social and medical importance of such websites, which are gradually becoming an inseparable part of day-to-day chronic disease management in the community.