Online Patient Support Groups and Social Networking Communities
The Challenge
The Wellness Community (TWC), the leading international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones, wished to translate the success of their Patient Active model from their twenty-two "brick and mortar" facilities to an online environment. TWC provides in-person services to approximately 350,000 people each year and is part of a collaborative research partnership with Stanford University and the University of California.
Our Solution
Since 2001, DLC Solutions has partnered with The Wellness Community to design and produce “The Wellness Community Online” (http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org). The Website is widely regarded as the first Website to offer free, professionally moderated online support groups and education programs to people living with cancer and their caregivers. In 2005, we designed and launched www.Grouploop.org to provide psychological support to teens affected by cancer.
As part of of our ongoing commitment to innovation and cancer care, DLC Solutions and TWC recently released a wealth of new social media features to enhance the community experience.
Website Features
- Professionally-led, real-time chat support groups
- Peer-to-peer social networking
- Secure, thematic discussion forums
- Personal blogs
- Video journals
- Webcasts and podcasts
- Instant messaging
- Interactive education modules
- Research tools to monitor symptoms and key quality of life indicators
Today, both Websites attract over 300,000 annual visitors and have provided peer-to-peer and professionally moderated support to thousands of people impacted by cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s Disease, and other chronic illnesses. The Wellness Community Online is also part of a research partnership between TWC, Stanford University, and the University of California at San Francisco designed to enhance access to quality psychological support to people living with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The research team has scientifically demonstrated that these online support groups are just as effective as face-to-face groups in reducing depression, increasing zest for life, and improving overall social functioning and quality of life. Review a complete listing of the research publications from this effort.
We are very excited to be a part of such a wonderful and impactful Web initiative and we look forward to continuing to expand the site to better help those affected by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
DLC Solutions' Services
- Strategic social media and technology planning
- Graphic design
- Adobe Flash Design
- e-Learning course development
- Software engineering
- Technical project management
- Testing and quality assurance
Selected Research Publications
Below is an abbreviated list of the research studies that have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at medical conferences on the benefits of The Wellness Community Online to people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
- Owen, J.E., Bantum, E.O., Golant, M. (2008). Benefits and challenges experienced by professional facilitators of online support groups for cancer survivors. Manuscript submitted for publication
- Golant, M., et al. (2008). Detecting emotional expression in face-to-face and online breast cancer support groups. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(3), 517-523.
- Owen, J., Giese-Davis, J., Cordova, M., Golant, M., Kronnenwetter, C., Spiegel, D. (2006). Self-report and linguistic indicators of emotional expression as predictors of adjustment to cancer. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29(4), 335-345.
- Holland, J. C., Greenberg, D. B., & Hughes, M. K. (2006). Quick Reference for OncologyClinicians: The Psychiatric and Psychological Dimensions of Cancer Symptom Management. IPOS Press.
- Lieberman, M., Golant, M., Winzelberg, A. (2005). Comparisons between internet and face-to-face groups. Journal of Psychotherapy, (March 2005).
- Lieberman, M., Winzelberg, A., Golant, M., (2006). Online support groups for Parkinson's disease patients: A pilot study of effectiveness. Journal of Social Work and Health Care, 42(2), 23-38.
- Winzelberg, A., Golant, M., Di Minno, M., (2005). The impact of group composition on internet support groups: Homogeneous versus heterogeneous Parkinson's groups. Group Dynamics Theory, Research and Practice, 9(4), 239-250.
- Lieberman, M. Golant, M., Winzelberg, A. Gustafson, D., McTavish, F . (2004). Comparisons: Professionally directed and self directed internet groups for women with breast cancer. International Journal of Self Help and Self Care, 2(3), 219 -235.
- Lieberman, M., Golant, M. (2004). Comparisons between internet and face to face groups: The expression of fear and anger in breast cancer support groups. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, (accepted awaiting publication date) 2004.
- Cordova, M., Giese-Davis, J., Golant, M., Kronnenwetter, C., Chang, V., McFarlin, S., et al. (2003). Mood disturbance in community cancer support groups: The role of emotional suppression and fighting spirit. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 55, 461-467.
- Golant, M. (2002). Community research collaborations: How to reach more people more of the time with evidence based interventions. Paper presented at the Twenty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
- Golant, M. (2002). Effectiveness of electronic support groups for women with breast cancer. Paper presented at the Twenty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
- Golant M. (2002). Emotional expression and therapist behavior in online vs. face-to-face breast cancer support groups: A comparative study. Paper presented at the Twenty-Third Meeting of The Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.
- Golant, M. (2001). Electronic support groups for breast carcinoma: A clinical trial of effectiveness. Paper presented in part at The Annual Society for Behavioral Medicine Conference, Seattle, WA.
- Changrani, J, Lieberman, M, Golant, M, Rios, P, Damman, J, & Gany, F. (2008). Online cancer support groups: Experiences with underserved Immigrant Latinas. Primary Psychiatry, (October 2008)..