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Monday, 18 November 2013
Learning Objective 1: Describe the process for qualitative analysis of online caregiver support group discussions.
Learning Objective 2: Identify common curative factors emerging from peer-led online support groups for caregivers.
Over 65 million Americans care for family members with chronic illness [1], providing almost 75% of caregiving support in the US [2]. The enormous burdens placed on informal caregivers are include physical, emotional, and social demands as well as significant financial costs [4-8]. The majority of informal caregivers have access to the Internet (79%) and use the internet to seek information related to caregiving (88%) [20]. According to caregivers, online support groups are considered one of the top 20 essential sources of information found online [21]. Most online support groups do not use a professional healthcare facilitator (non-facilitated). Benefits of a peer-led format include ease of set up; low cost; and the ability to provide immediate, ongoing, and unlimited enrollments [22-24]. Given the demands placed on family caregivers and the burdens associated with their role, non-traditional (online) and innovative support programs that address their needs are warranted. There is scant literature demonstrating whether non-professionally led, online support groups can cultivate the same curative factors that have been demonstrated in traditional group therapy [25]. These curative factors are considered the essential ingredients for improvements of group members. A qualitative analysis of the proceedings (written postings) of an online, peer-led support group for caregivers was conducted. Preliminary results demonstrate that group cohesion, universality, and altruism are heavily utilized, whereas other curative factors (such as interpersonal learning) are difficult to attain in this format. Preliminary results suggest that groups not utilizing a professional facilitator and occuring in an online format can foster similar curative factors to live, professionally-facilitated groups.