Experiences of online group support for engaging and supporting participants in the National Health Service Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme: A qualitative interview study.
Wang Chun Cheung, Lisa M Miles, Rhiannon E Hawkes, David P French
{"title":"Experiences of online group support for engaging and supporting participants in the National Health Service Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme: A qualitative interview study.","authors":"Wang Chun Cheung, Lisa M Miles, Rhiannon E Hawkes, David P French","doi":"10.1177/13558196231212846","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The National Health Service Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme is a nine-month behavioural intervention for adults in England at risk of type 2 diabetes. This qualitative study aimed to explore how service users engaged with the group support available within the programme.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The majority of participants (<i>n</i> = 33), all service users, were interviewed twice via telephone, at 2-4 months into the programme, and at the end of the programme at 8-10 months. Semi-structured interviews covered participants' experiences of online group support functions and how such groups served as a route of support to aid participants' behavioural changes. Data were analysed using manifest thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of participants valued the format of closed group chats, which provided an interactive platform to offer and receive support during their behaviour change journey. However, engagement with group chats reduced over time, and some participants did not find them useful when there was a lack of common interests within the group. Health coaches helped to promote engagement and build rapport among participants within the group chats. Participants reported mixed experiences of discussion forums.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Programme developers should consider how to optimise online group support to help service users make behavioural changes, in terms of format, participant composition and use of health coach moderators. Further research is required to better understand who might benefit most from 'group chat' or 'discussion forum' support. Health coach moderation of online support groups is likely to facilitate engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":15953,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health Services Research & Policy","volume":" ","pages":"100-110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10910750/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Health Services Research & Policy","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/13558196231212846","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/12/14 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: The National Health Service Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme is a nine-month behavioural intervention for adults in England at risk of type 2 diabetes. This qualitative study aimed to explore how service users engaged with the group support available within the programme.
Methods: The majority of participants (n = 33), all service users, were interviewed twice via telephone, at 2-4 months into the programme, and at the end of the programme at 8-10 months. Semi-structured interviews covered participants' experiences of online group support functions and how such groups served as a route of support to aid participants' behavioural changes. Data were analysed using manifest thematic analysis.
Results: The majority of participants valued the format of closed group chats, which provided an interactive platform to offer and receive support during their behaviour change journey. However, engagement with group chats reduced over time, and some participants did not find them useful when there was a lack of common interests within the group. Health coaches helped to promote engagement and build rapport among participants within the group chats. Participants reported mixed experiences of discussion forums.
Conclusions: Programme developers should consider how to optimise online group support to help service users make behavioural changes, in terms of format, participant composition and use of health coach moderators. Further research is required to better understand who might benefit most from 'group chat' or 'discussion forum' support. Health coach moderation of online support groups is likely to facilitate engagement.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Health Services Research & Policy provides a unique opportunity to explore the ideas, policies and decisions shaping health services throughout the world. Edited and peer-reviewed by experts in the field and with a high academic standard and multidisciplinary approach, readers will gain a greater understanding of the current issues in healthcare policy and research. The journal"s strong international editorial advisory board also ensures that readers obtain a truly global and insightful perspective.