Sharing the experience: Value perceptions about social networking sites (SNS) in asthma care

Background: Communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding asthma management is vital in reducing emergency room visits and aiding teens to control asthma symptoms. However, in their daily agenda, physicians have limited time for communication with their patients during clinic hours. Internet-based social networking sites (SNS) offer a potential solution to overcome such hurdles and permit better communication and education to improve asthma self-management. Purpose: To identify patient, caregiver and physician interest in SNS focusing on the experiences of teens living with asthma. Methods: In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with asthmatic teens, caregivers, and physicians from an academic clinic in a southeast metropolitan area. Semi- structured interview guides were designed to uncover marketing mix using the social marketing approach. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using Nvivo 8, applying the constant comparative method. Results: The three groups vary in their interest to participate in an asthma-focused SNS. Teens assert preferences for using social media as a platform to share experience with known asthmatic peers and to connect with their physicians. Physicians value potential benefits of SNS in asthma care, though concerns such as time commitments and privacy issues are raised. Caregivers report a full spectrum of opinions regarding usefulness and willingness to participate in SNS with other caregivers of asthmatic teens. Conclusions: SNS for teens with asthma may be helpful in asthma care and health education. Such platforms can provide accurate and credible asthma information if monitored by healthcare professionals.