Online help: cancer patients participate in a computer-mediated support group

This study investigated a computer-mediated support group for six breast cancer patients. For a three-month period, patients used home computers to connect to a computer bulletin board on which they read messages from and posted messages to each other. The patients had no difficulty learning to use the computer and used it an average of one hour a week. The patients discussed their medical conditions, shared personal concerns, and offered support. This online approach provided many features of traditional face-to-face support groups. Key words breast cancer computers patients support group women
Cancer, a stressful illness of major proportions, is the second leading cause of death in the United States (American Cancer Society, 1994). One-third of all Americans will be diagnosed with [...]