Macmillan Online Discussion Study: Exploring Macmillan's SHARE Discussion Forum
The Macmillan Cancer Support website hosts an online discussion forum known as Share. This online resource is one of a range of information and support services designed to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. The online discussion forum enables people affected by cancer to share experiences, support and information with others. This study seeks to understand people's use of one of the online discussion boards within Share called We talk about cancer. As Macmillan aims to increase the reach of its services and improve the lives of people affected by cancer, it is important to gain a better understanding of who uses the discussion forum and in what ways. This study will contribute to our understanding of how people use an online discussion forum to help them manage problems and concerns associated with cancer and provide insights into how people can be supported through online discussion forums. Recommendations will be made on how the website may be developed to better support people affected by cancer.
The aims of this study were to:
Explore the use of the discussion board as a resource for supporting self management
Foster, C., Roffe, L. (2009) An exploration of the internet as a self management resource. Journal of Research in Nursing 14(1), 13-24
If you have any queries regarding this study please contact the MSRG on 02380 596885, or email msrg@soton.ac.uk