Focus Groups Move Online: Feasibility of Tumblr Use for eHealth Curriculum Development

Abstract

BackgroundConstructing successful online programs requires engaging potential users in development. However, assembling focus groups can be costly and time consuming.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess whether Tumblr can be used to prioritize activities for an online younger worker risk reduction and health promotion program.MethodsYounger summer parks and recreation employees were encouraged to visit Tumblr using weekly announcements and competitions. Each week, new activities were posted on Tumblr with linked survey questions. Responses were downloaded and analyzed.ResultsAn average of 36 young workers rated each activity on its likeability and perceived educational value. The method was feasible, efficient, and sustainable across the summer weeks. Ratings indicated significant differences in likeability among activities (P<.005).ConclusionsTumblr is a means to crowdsource formative feedback on potential curricular components when assembling an online intervention. This paper describes its initial use as well as suggestions for future refinements.

Dissemination and Implementation Science Approaches for Occupational Safety and Health Research: Implications for Advancing Total Worker Health

“…PUSH expands "Talking Safety" to include TWH concepts in an online format (versus the classroom format of "Talking Safety") and for delivery in a different context (city park departments versus middle schools and high schools). The adaptation was based on inputs gathered through a needs assessment conducted with young people aged 14-24 years employed as aquatics workers in a city parks and recreation program in Portland, Oregon [112][113][114]. This work allowed the project team to qualitatively assess the acceptability and fit of the proposed OSH and health promotion content for the target population and establish the feasibility of an online delivery model [112,113].…”

“…The adaptation was based on inputs gathered through a needs assessment conducted with young people aged 14-24 years employed as aquatics workers in a city parks and recreation program in Portland, Oregon [112][113][114]. This work allowed the project team to qualitatively assess the acceptability and fit of the proposed OSH and health promotion content for the target population and establish the feasibility of an online delivery model [112,113]. To assess intervention outcomes, an individual-level randomized controlled trial was conducted with 140 young aquatics workers [114].…”

Young workers and youth offenders

“…In the state of Washington, a school-based intervention developed by researchers and health professionals effectively increased young worker's knowledge on topics of workplace safety (Linker, Miller, Freeman, & Burbacher, 2005). While a similar classroom-based intervention promoting workplace safety was deemed effective, transferring the content to a web-based format was also well-received by teen workers (Elliot, Rohlman, & Parish, 2015). Comprehensive approaches may extend beyond providing education and training on primary prevention to include secondary and tertiary prevention measures such as the provision of medical assistance to treat the potential consequences of workplace violence within the school setting (Smith, Fisher, Gillespie, Beery, & Gates, 2013).…”