Internet Self-Management Programs
Self-Management @ Stanford is the Internet arm of our self-management
programs. We entered the online world in 1998, attempting to learn if
the sharing and support that is key to the success of our community-based
programs could be transfered to the online community. Since then, we have
received funding for 5 randomized, controlled research projects on the
Internet.
The Back Pain Internet Education Program
Our first patient education program on the internet was the Back Pain Internet Education Program,which was developed to determine the effectiveness of a moderated Internet discussion group in improving health status and health care utilization. The study concluded in 2000.
Participants with recurring back pain were randomized to take part in an email list where all members received the posts of all other members, or a control group that received a popular magazine subscription. People in the email group also received a copy of The Back Pain Helpbook.* The group was moderated by a physican, a physical therapist, a psychologist, and 2 health educators. The moderators, however, did not lead the discussions. Discussions were participant-driven, and no subject was off-limits.
At one year, 69% of the email group demonstrated less disability, worry about thier health, and interference in their daily activities. They also had increased confidence to manage their symptoms, and increased orientation toward self-care. There was also a trend toward fewer back related visits to physicians.**
Download PDF article
Healthier Living With Ongoing Health Problems
(Internet Chronic Disease Self-Management Program)
The Healthier Living With Ongoing Health Problems Program is the Internet version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. It shares the same content and a similar structure. Study participants with heart disease, lung disease, and type 2 diabetes take the online workshop together, along with 2 moderators.
This study is complete. We are currently exploring ways to license and disseminate the program.
Healthier Living With Arthritis
(Internet Arthritis Self-Management Program)
The Healthier Living With Arthritis Program
is the Internet version of the Arthritis Self-Management (Self-Help) Program.
Based on the Healthier Living With Ongoing Health Problems model, it was
also a randomized, controlled research project. The study of the online
workshop for people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia
has been completed.
Foothill College, a California community college, now offers the online workshop.
Healthier Living With Diabetes
The Healthier Living With Diabetes Program is also based on the Healthier Living With Ongoing Health Problems
model and will also be a randomized, controlled research project. We have closed recruitment for this study.
Online Questionnaire Study
This study was about the quality of data collected via the Internet.
We compared questionnaires collected online to questionnaires collected
by US Mail. Participants simply filled out one questionnaire by one of
the two methods. We completed this study in 2004, and results are published
in the Journal of Internet Medical Research***.
*The Back Pain Helpbook, by James Moore, Kate Lorig, Michael Von Korff, Virginia González, and Diana Laurent. Perseus Books, 1999.
**Results reported in: Lorig KR, Laurent DD, Deyo RA, Marnell ME, Minor MA, Ritter PL. Can a Back Pain E-mail Discussion Group Improve Health Status and Lower Health Care Costs? A Randomized Study. Archives of Internal Medicine, 162: 792-796, 2002. Download PDF article
***Ritter P, Lorig K, Laurent D, Matthews K. Internet Versus Mailed Questionnaires: A Randomized Comparison. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15;6(3):e29, 2004. View Article
|
