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Therapeutic connection: Help seeking on the Internet for persons with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

  • SUNY Buffalo
  • Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to understand common themes and shared meanings of help seeking on the Internet for persons with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). SETTING: The study took place over an on- line, informal, public, electronic bulletin board for persons with ICDs. SAMPLE: The sample included 469 postings by 75 users during 15 months. RESULTS: Four related themes and 1 constitutive pattern were constructed. Themes included seeking and giving meaningful information; sharing personal perspectives; storytelling as common grounding; and supportive interacting. The constitutive pattern is 'therapeutic connection.' IMPLICATIONS: Persons with ICDs are proactive, using Internet bulletin boards to seek practical information and support in coping with daily anxieties of living with an ICD. This form of self-directed patient education focuses on common experiences of illness versus information obtained from health care providers.

Original languageEnglish
Article number523486
Pages (from-to)248-255
Number of pages8
JournalHeart and Lung
Volume29
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

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