An investigation into the empowerment effects of using online support groups and how this affects health professional/patient communication
Open accessAbstract
Objective The current research investigates the potential of online support groups (OSGs) to foster empowerment and how membership might affect the patient/health professional relationship.Methods 246 participants across 33 OSGs completed an online questionnaire.Results All empowerment processes and outcomes identified by van Uden-Kraan et al. [1] were found to be present. All empowerment outcomes were adequately predicted by empowerment processes. The majority (82.2%) of participants had discussed information found online with their health professional and most (74.2%) were satisfied with the response. Around 60% of participants felt membership of an OSG had affected the relationship with their health professional and from qualitative responses the effects were mostly positive.Conclusion OSGs have the potential to produce empowerment outcomes for those who choose to use them. Furthermore, users report a positive reaction to information found online from their health professionals.Practice implications Although not all patients will benefit from using OSGs, health professionals suggesting their use could ensure that they reach the maximum receptive audience. Furthermore, this research could be used to encourage a more 'net friendly' attitude amongst health professionals.
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A much smaller proportion (16.2%) experienced negative reactions.
“while a much smaller proportion experienced negative reactions (16.2%).”
Bartlett and Coulson found most participants (82.2%) to be satisfied or extremely satisfied with their HCPs' reactions to their participation in online support groups.
“Bartlett and Coulson [29] found most participants (82.2%) to be satisfied or extremely satisfied with their HCP’s reactions to their participation in online support groups”
Few studies discussed the impact of online health forums and the effects they have on an individual and their perceptions, with only two of the studies included focusing on these groups.
“Few studies discussed the impact of online health forums and the effects they have on an individual and their perceptions, with only two of the studies included focusing on these groups [29, 33].”
A study among UK physicians found that, in approximately 50% of prescriptions, patients' preferences were considered, because physicians felt pressured by the patients.
“However, a study among UK physicians found that, in approximately 50% of prescriptions, patients’ preferences were considered [35], because physicians felt pressured by the patients.”
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- Authors
- Bartlett, Y. K., & Coulson, N. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Nottingham (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Bartlett, Yvonne Kiera
- Venue
- Patient Education and Counseling
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 83
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 113-119
- ISSN
- 0738-3991 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2085922052
- Cited by
- 234
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 18.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- Locations
- Patient Education and Counseling (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
- Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Repository@Nottingham (University of Nottingham) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
- Keywords
- online support groups, patient empowerment, health professional-patient communication, patient-professional relationship, online health information, patient satisfaction, empowerment process
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Communication, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Education as Topic, Patient Participation, Power, Psychological, Professional-Patient Relations, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self-Help Groups, Social Support, Internet, Young Adult
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