Evaluation of a systematic design for a virtual patient community
Journal
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (JCMC)
ISSN-Digital
1083-6101
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2005-07-01
Author(s)
Research Team
iw6-init
Abstract
Virtual Communities (VCs) offer ubiquitous access to information and exchange possibilities for people in similar situations, which is especially valuable for patients with chronic / life-threatening diseases. However, it is seldom considered possible to create VCs systematically. This article describes the evaluation of the design elements and factors that contributed to the success of the VC krebsgemeinschaft.de (a VC for cancer patients in the German-speaking internet), by assessing user acceptance and usage. Additionally, the existence of trust (a constituent element of working VCs) in krebsgemeinschaft.de is addressed. Based on these criteria, we empirically verify the chosen design components and generate insights into the systematic development and operation of VCs in general and VCs for patients in the German healthcare system in particular.
Language
English
Keywords
Virtual Community
patients
community-building
evaluation
community design
CCC
HSG Classification
not classified
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
International Communication Association
Publisher place
Washington, DC
Volume
10
Number
4
Start page
00
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
219435
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
JML_49.pdf
Size
588.7 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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