Peer-to-Peer Health Communication in Older Adults’ Online Communities: Protocol for a Qualitative Netnographic Study and Co-Design Approach

Abstract

Background Online communities provide an environment in which people with similar health concerns can interact and access content that can support the self-management of long-term conditions (LTCs). Recently, the importance of online social networks as sources of health information and social support has been brought into focus with the emergence and widespread societal impacts of COVID-19. Although online communities exist for older adults, little is known about the specific health and self-care topics that older people discuss in such environments and how these relate to users’ support needs and outcomes. A better understanding of users’ needs and peer-to-peer communication in these communities is necessary to inform the design of information and communication technology (ICT) interventions that are relevant to older people and their peer supporters. Objective This study aims to use a two-phase, web-based ethnographic (netnography) and co-design approach to explore specific health care and self-care topics that older adults discuss in a UK-based online community and how peer supporters respond to these queries with informational and/or social support and engage with stakeholders to define the needs and requirements for new ICT-based interventions capable of reducing social isolation and facilitating LTC self-management support. Methods The first phase of the research will involve a qualitative netnographic analysis of posts in discussion forums in a publicly accessible online community. The second phase will involve co-design workshops with health care consumers (ie, older adults and carers) and service providers to determine the needs and requirements for new ICT-based interventions and digital innovations. Constructivist grounded theory will be used in the first phase; in the second phase, the co-design workshops will be audiorecorded and analyzed thematically. Results This research project is in progress. Permission was obtained from the website administrator to use materials from the social media forum; data collection for the first phase began in April 2020. The second phase of the study is expected to begin in late 2020. This study is due to be completed by the end of 2021. Conclusions This study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to combine qualitative netnography with an iterative co-design framework to specify the needs and requirements for new ICT-based interventions. The findings from this study will inform the next phase of the multiphase knowledge translation project and will provide insights into the potential of online peer health communities to reduce social isolation and facilitate chronic illness self-management support and self-care. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19834

COVID-19 Era Social Isolation among Older Adults

“…Recent efforts are also exploring the benefits of online peer-to-peer communities for older adults, especially during this time of increased social isolation and disconnectedness. Online communities and social networks, part of the collective technological tools known as information and communication technologies (ICT), have become popular among older adults in recent years, especially since the start of the pandemic [45]. One recent review compiled studies evaluating the effectiveness of ICT with older adults, finding that ICT had a positive impact on social support, social connectedness, and social isolation over the short term [2].…”

“…One recent review compiled studies evaluating the effectiveness of ICT with older adults, finding that ICT had a positive impact on social support, social connectedness, and social isolation over the short term [2]. Generally, online communities connecting older adults to their peers demonstrate success in sharing information, experiences regarding health conditions, and peer support for those with common interests [45]. One ongoing study, which began following the onset of COVID-19 in April 2020, is exploring the feasibility of online communities for older adults as a medium to connect peers with one another and communicate with healthcare providers [45].…”

“…Generally, online communities connecting older adults to their peers demonstrate success in sharing information, experiences regarding health conditions, and peer support for those with common interests [45]. One ongoing study, which began following the onset of COVID-19 in April 2020, is exploring the feasibility of online communities for older adults as a medium to connect peers with one another and communicate with healthcare providers [45]. Results describing whether these communities and social networks play a beneficial role in connectedness are expected in late 2021.…”

A Mapping Review of Netnography in Nursing

“…Of the total number of articles, 26.4% ( n = 14) reported that their study had been reviewed by an ethics board (Alang & Fomotar, 2015; Andréasson et al, 2018; Aragão et al, 2018; Boursier et al, 2022; Cano-Hila & Argemí-Baldich, 2021; Ellinghaus et al, 2021; Gün & Şenol, 2019; Kendal et al, 2017; Lawless et al, 2020, 2022; Moura & Aschemann-Witzel, 2021; Schuman et al, 2019; Vale et al, 2019; Wallace et al, 2018), while 56.6% ( n = 30) reported that their study had not been reviewed (Ari & Mari, 2021; Baptista et al, 2021; Bayen et al, 2021; Bîră et al, 2020; Björkman & Salzmann-Erikson, 2018; Botelle & Willott, 2020; Cuomo et al, 2020; Eriksson et al, 2014; Eriksson & Salzmann-Erikson, 2013, 2016b, 2018; Gatrell, 2019; Holmgren et al, 2018; Johansson & Andreasson, 2017; Keeling et al, 2015; Liang & Scammon, 2011; Manning Hutson et al, 2022; Nemec et al, 2018; Nimrod, 2011; Numer et al, 2022; Poppi, 2021; Salzmann-Erikson, 2016, 2017; Salzmann-Erikson & Eriksson, 2011; Saxena et al, 2021; Song, 2020; Strand, 2022, p. 202; Strand & Gustafsson, 2020; Thunborg & Salzmann-Erikson, 2017; Van Hout & Hearne, 2014); four articles reported that they had applied to an ethics review board (ERB) but had been deemed exempt because their work was not considered human subjects research (De Gagne et al, 2021; Giles et al, 2015; …”

Netnography: A novel methodology for nursing research

“…There is evidence that online communities provide a supportive environment for people with specific health issues or beliefs (Lawless et al, 2020). Additionally, netnography has been demonstrated to be a valuable tool for exploring virtual communities and cybercultures (Lawless et al, 2020). Studies of online communities can be less obtrusive and have demonstrated insight into consumer choices as well as providing valuable insight into their beliefs and preferences while providing an opportunity for incorporating the co-creation of knowledge into the project (Lawless et al, 2020).…”