Utilization of Face-to-Face Vestibular Support Groups: A Comparison to Online Group Participation.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the utilization and outcomes of face-to-face (F2F) vestibular support groups and online support communities (OSC) for individuals with vestibular disorders. METHODS: We distributed a 31-question anonymous electronic survey through the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) to F2F participants, categorizing user involvement in F2F, OSCs, or both and assessed impact on medical decision-making, psychosocial benefits, and goals achieved. RESULTS: The F2F cohort consisted of 97 individuals comprising primarily of non-Hispanic White women (mean age = 57 years, SD ± 14 years) with diagnoses including persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (19%), Meniere's disease (15%), and vestibular neuritis (13%). Most participants were diagnosed by an otolaryngologist (65%) and attended F2F meetings monthly or less frequently (78%). The OSC group comprised of 551 individuals, primarily of non-Hispanic White women, but was younger in age (mean age = 50 years, SD ± 13 years). OSC participants notably engaged more, with 36% participating on a daily basis and 32% multiple times a week. F2F participants were older (mean age 57 years vs 50 years, P < .001) and more commonly referred by medical professionals (22% F2F vs 6% OSC, P < .001). Both groups had similar achieved goals, including hearing from others with the same diagnosis (84% vs 89%, P > .05) and similar impact on medical decision-making (75% vs 78%, P > .05). More F2F participants reported increased development of coping skills (79% F2F vs 69% OSC, P = .037). OSC participants typically found the group via an online search (75%), compared to 51% for F2F. OSC participants had higher daily engagement (36%) compared to F2F (1%). CONCLUSION: F2F users are older and more commonly referred by medical professionals. Despite less frequent engagement, F2F participants reported similar influences on achieved goals, medical decision-making, and impact on psychosocial benefits. These findings highlight the importance of both F2F and OSC support groups for individuals with vestibular disorders.

Grupos de apoyo en línea, una alternativa frente al cáncer de mama / Online support groups, an alternative to breast cancer

El cáncer de mama es el cáncer más frecuente en las mujeres, con un 25.2%, y se presenta tanto en los países desarrollados como en los países en desarrollo. Su incidencia desafortunadamente continúa en aumento pese a las campañas de concientización en todo el mundo; por ejemplo, durante todo el mes de octubre se promueven la sensibilización y la detección oportuna. Todos los esfuerzos siempre serán bienvenidos a fin de lograr el máximo bienestar de las pacientes, y es por eso que desde la década de 1990 surgieron numerosos grupos de apoyo con la finalidad de proporcionar soporte a las mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama, en los que se identificó que había múltiples beneficios tanto emocionales como fisiológicos, además de favorecer el afrontamiento de su enfermedad y con efectos positivos en cuanto a la supervivencia. Y son justo los tópicos que se abordan en los grupos de apoyo los que pueden ayudar no solo a las pacientes, sino también a sus familias, a su red de apoyo y en particular a su cuidador primario, quien desempeña un rol fundamental en el proceso que llevará la paciente a lo largo de su tratamiento médico.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women with 25.2% and occurs in both developed and developing countries, its incidence unfortunately continues to increase despite awareness campaigns worldwide, for example during throughout the month of October awareness and timely detection are promoted. All efforts will always be welcome in order to achieve the maximum well-being of patients, and that is why since the 1990s a large number of support groups emerged worldwide, with the purpose of providing support to women with diagnosis. of breast cancer, where it was identified that there were multiple benefits both emotional and physiological, in addition to favoring the coping of their disease with positive effects in terms of survival. And it is precisely the topics that are addressed in the support groups that can help, not only the patients but also their families, their support network and in particular their primary caregiver. Who plays a fundamental role in the process that the patient will take throughout her medical treatment.