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Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy : a qualitative analysis
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Ellis, Leila and Roberts, Lesley (2020) Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy : a qualitative analysis. Birth, 47 (1). pp. 153-161. doi:10.1111/birt.12459 ISSN 0730-7659.
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/birt.12459
Abstract
The Internet is widely used as a source of health information to assist decision making in pregnancy. Concerningly, the quality of information shared on online pregnancy forums is unclear. Our objectives were to explore online pregnancy forum health-related use and evaluate quality of information shared. This retrospective qualitative study had two phases of data collection and analysis. First, thematic analysis of a representative sample (n = 480) of posts explored motivators for forum use. Second, a subgroup (n = 153) of threads with clinical content was assessed for congruence with reputable sources. Common motivators for forum engagement were a desire for lived experience, unlimited access, and the opportunity to express emotions. Of 1098 responses sharing advice, information, or experience, 601 (54.7%) were accurate; 230 (20.9%) were erroneous, incomplete, or misleading; and 267 (24.3%) lacked credible evidence. Of these, 60 (5.5%) were potentially harmful. Responses often directed women to a health care practitioner, but concerningly, failed to refer ten women in need of urgent medical assessment. Few discussions were self-regulating, with only 12 of 230 (5.2%) poor-quality messages subsequently rectified. Exchange of information and emotional support among peers are key functions of online pregnancy forums. There is a modest prevalence of poor-quality or potentially harmful information but more concerningly a lack of peer moderation. We suggest health care practitioners ensure pregnant women have a clear understanding of when clinical consultation is required. Clinicians may wish to discuss the supportive community aspects of online forums in cases where offline support is lacking. [Abstract copyright: © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.]
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics | ||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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SWORD Depositor: | Library Publications Router | ||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Pregnancy, Pregnancy -- Electronic discussion groups, Health education -- Electronic discussion groups | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Birth | ||||||||
Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc. | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0730-7659 | ||||||||
Official Date: | March 2020 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 47 | ||||||||
Number: | 1 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 153-161 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1111/birt.12459 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): | "This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Ellis, L, Roberts, L. Exploring the use and quality of Internet discussion forums in pregnancy: A qualitative analysis. Birth. 2019; 00: 1– 9., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12459. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions." | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 10 December 2019 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 4 October 2020 |
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