Development and implementation of a Facebook-based peer-to-peer support group for caregivers of children with health care needs in New Brunswick
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v1i1.10644Abstract
Facebook has become an important gathering place for patients and caregivers to exchange health-related information and emotional support, otherwise known as peer-to-peer (P2P) support. Despite widespread use of Facebook groups across various patient and caregiver populations, the use of these groups by caregivers of children with complex care needs (CCCN) has not been previously reported. This paper describes the development and launch of a Facebook group for families of CCCN in New Brunswick, Canada, as well as the plans for evaluation and preliminary findings. The Facebook group was developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including a patient and family advisory council. The following factors were taken into consideration: group characteristics, moderators, language, recruitment, and implementation. The potential impact of the group on perceived knowledge of health services and/or resources and health literacy were assessed through semi-structured interviews with group members. The group, launched in October 2020, has been monitored for a period of 10 weeks for its use by caregivers. The group has attracted a total of 81 caregivers of CCCN, including two moderators. Inquiry-based posts were the most common type of posts made by members. The observed surge in group membership upon implementation suggests the need for additional P2P support platforms for caregivers of CCCN in New Brunswick. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will determine how the group is used by members and whether it has any effect on health literacy and knowledge of resources and services.
Keywords: peer-to-peer support, social support, social media, children with health care needs
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