TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-management of chronic low back pain
T2 - An exploration of the impact of a patient-centered website
AU - Caiata Zufferey, Maria
AU - Schulz, Peter J.
N1 - Funding Information:
We thank the National Research Programme NRP 53 ‘Musculoskeletal Health – Chronic Pain’ of the Swiss National Science Foundation for the financial support of this study (project 405340–104841/1), as well as the Lega Ticinese per la Lotta contro il Reumatismo, which has enabled its feasibility.
PY - 2009/10
Y1 - 2009/10
N2 - Objective: This paper examines from a qualitative approach the role of a patient-centered website - named "Oneself" - on patients' chronic low back pain self-management attitudes and behaviors in the Italian part of Switzerland. Methods: In-depth interviews have been conducted with a purposive and convenient sample of 18 chronic low back pain sufferers who had used Oneself during 6 months. Data collection and analysis were driven by grounded theory. Results: Reported positive effects of the use of Oneself on self-management attitudes and behaviors include self-comprehension, improvement of argumentative abilities, orientation, development of self-confidence and maintenance of a high level of attention. In some cases, participants affirm to have experienced negative effects such as confusion and discouragement. The individual's previous awareness of cLBP and level of self-management plays a main role in the way people use the website and in its impact. Based on this criterium, a typology of four patterns of use is drawn. Conclusion: Patient-centered websites are useful for enhancing self-management of chronic low back pain. However, individuals take advantage of this means differently, based on their stage of advancement in the self-management process. Practice implications: Information and supports provided online should be tailored according to people's stage of advancement.
AB - Objective: This paper examines from a qualitative approach the role of a patient-centered website - named "Oneself" - on patients' chronic low back pain self-management attitudes and behaviors in the Italian part of Switzerland. Methods: In-depth interviews have been conducted with a purposive and convenient sample of 18 chronic low back pain sufferers who had used Oneself during 6 months. Data collection and analysis were driven by grounded theory. Results: Reported positive effects of the use of Oneself on self-management attitudes and behaviors include self-comprehension, improvement of argumentative abilities, orientation, development of self-confidence and maintenance of a high level of attention. In some cases, participants affirm to have experienced negative effects such as confusion and discouragement. The individual's previous awareness of cLBP and level of self-management plays a main role in the way people use the website and in its impact. Based on this criterium, a typology of four patterns of use is drawn. Conclusion: Patient-centered websites are useful for enhancing self-management of chronic low back pain. However, individuals take advantage of this means differently, based on their stage of advancement in the self-management process. Practice implications: Information and supports provided online should be tailored according to people's stage of advancement.
KW - Chronic low back pain
KW - Grounded theory
KW - Health communication
KW - Internet
KW - Self-management
KW - Tailoring
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=69249126828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2009.01.016
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2009.01.016
M3 - Article
C2 - 19321286
AN - SCOPUS:69249126828
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 77
SP - 27
EP - 32
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
IS - 1
ER -