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Reasons for Not Participating in Scleroderma Patient Support Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- Source :
-
Arthritis care & research [Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)] 2018 Feb; Vol. 70 (2), pp. 275-283. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jan 11. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Objective: Peer-led support groups are an important resource for many people with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc). Little is known, however, about barriers to participation. The objective of this study was to identify reasons why some people with SSc do not participate in SSc support groups.<br />Methods: A 21-item survey was used to assess reasons for nonattendance among SSc patients in Canada and the US. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, using the software MPlus 7, to group reasons for nonattendance into themes.<br />Results: A total of 242 people (202 women) with SSc completed the survey. EFA results indicated that a 3-factor model best described the data (χ <superscript>2</superscript> [150] = 302.7; P < 0.001; Comparative Fit Index = 0.91, Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.88, root mean square error of approximation = 0.07, factor intercorrelations 0.02-0.43). The 3 identified themes, reflecting reasons for not attending SSc support groups were personal reasons (9 items; e.g., already having enough support), practical reasons (7 items; e.g., no local support groups available), and beliefs about support groups (5 items; e.g., support groups are too negative). On average, respondents rated 4.9 items as important or very important reasons for nonattendance. The 2 items most commonly rated as important or very important were 1) already having enough support from family, friends, or others, and 2) not knowing of any SSc support groups offered in my area.<br />Conclusion: SSc organizations may be able to address limitations in accessibility and concerns about SSc support groups by implementing online support groups, better informing patients about support group activities, and training support group facilitators.<br /> (© 2017, American College of Rheumatology.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Canada
Cross-Sectional Studies
Family Relations
Female
Health Care Surveys
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Scleroderma, Systemic diagnosis
Scleroderma, Systemic psychology
Social Support
United States
Young Adult
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Peer Group
Scleroderma, Systemic therapy
Self-Help Groups
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2151-4658
- Volume :
- 70
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Arthritis care & research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28217869
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23220