A Survey on the Role and Benefits of Online Social Networks on Filipino Patients With Psoriasis

Psoriasis Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Survey on the Role and Benefits of Online Social Networks on Filipino Patients With Psoriasis

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01465061
• Other study ID #: MED01032011
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: October 26, 2011
• Last updated: November 1, 2011
• Start date: February 2011
• Est. completion date: August 2011

Study information

• Verified date: November 2011
• Source: University of the Philippines
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Philippines: Ethics Committee
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

With the rise of usage of the internet, online social networks have recently been gaining popularity. Joining these groups can be beneficial to patients with chronic medical illness, such as psoriasis.This was a cross-sectional online survey of psoriasis patients in the Philippines who are members of online support groups. The survey was conducted for a period of three months.The purpose of the research project was to describe the demographics, disease characteristics, activities and benefits of online support groups to Filipino patients with psoriasis. The extent to which members experience empowering processes and outcomes was also evaluated.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 124
• Est. completion date: August 2011
• Est. primary completion date: June 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of psoriasis

• individuals who are willing to complete the online survey

• proficiency in English

• membership in an online psoriasis support network

Exclusion Criteria:

• nonmembers

• unwilling to participate in the study

Study Design

Observational Model: Ecologic or Community, Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Psoriasis

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Online support group
Joining online support group

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of the Philippines	Philippine Dermatological Society

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Demographic profile of online support users	The sociodemographic profile of the respondents such as age (mean, range), sex, civil status, level of formal education, employment status were described.	3 months	No
Primary	Disease characteristics of online support users	The overall health status (poor, average, good), psoriasis severity (mild, moderate, severe), duration of illness of online support groups were evaluated.	3 months	No
Secondary	Activities performed and extent of participation of online support users	Participants were also asked regarding their attitudes and experiences with online communities, length of use, log-on frequency and nature of online activities.	3 months	No
Secondary	Empowering processes and outcomes experienced by online support group members	The frequency with which empowering processes (exchange information, find recognition, share experiences, encounter emotional support, help others) occurred were measured on a 3-point scale (1-seldom to never, 2-sometimes, 3-often). The outcomes experienced (are better informed, feel more confident in relationship with physician, have improved acceptance, feel more confident with treatment, have enhanced social well-being, have increased optimism and control over the future, have enhanced self-esteem) were assessed on a 3-point scale (1-disagree, 2-neither agree nor disagree, 3-agree).	3 months	No
Secondary	Correlation of variables	Intervariable correlation (overall health status/psoriasis severity with frequency/duration of usage, educational level/employment status with frequency of usage) were also be assessed for significance.	3 months	No