The use of social media for healthcare advice: A focus group study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring patient's views on the use of a social-media-based intervention for the prevention of lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy: A focus group study
IRAS ID
183127
Contact name
Maria Moffatt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Central Lancashire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Lower back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP) are two common causes of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy. Recent literature states that up to 70% of pregnant women will suffer with either LBP or PGP at some point during pregnancy, and that around 9% of pregnant women experience severe disability as a result of these conditions.
Elden et al (2014) highlight the utility of information provision in helping women cope with these problems, and advocate the routine provision of information regarding LBP and PGP to all pregnant women. It has however been acknowledged in previous research into this topic that women do not appreciate being provided with printed leaflets alone, and now demand a more 'up-to-date' mode of information provision. The current study was therefore designed in order to explore the views of NHS antenatal service users regarding the use of social media as a platform for the provision of advice and information for the prevention of LBP and PGP in pregnancy.
Healthy pregnant women will be invited to participate in this study when they attend the antenatal clinic of Ormskirk District General Hospital for a routine appointment. Those who wish to participate will be invited to attend one of two focus group discussions moderated by the student researcher. The first focus group will involve women who do not report any previous history of LBP or PGP in pregnancy, whilst the second will involve women who state that they have some prior experience of LBP or PGP.
A sample size of 6-10 participants per group will be sought as recommended by Krueger (1994).
The information gathered in this study will be used to inform the design of a social-media-based intervention for the prevention of LBP and PGP, the acceptability and efficacy of which will be explored in a future clinical trial.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
15/NI/0270
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion