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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mist on February 2, 2002, at 22:07:15
I know this research project (the Psycho-Babble boards) has to do with online support groups but am not sure specifically what it's looking for or at. How effective the group is? Is it being compared to anything else like other online boards or real-life support groups? How is effectiveness (or whatever) defined and measured? And what do the researchers look at to determine it?
Just curious. -mist
Posted by Bekka H. on February 2, 2002, at 22:32:58
In reply to PB as research, posted by mist on February 2, 2002, at 22:07:15
> I know this research project (the Psycho-Babble boards) has to do with online support groups but am not sure specifically what it's looking for or at. How effective the group is? Is it being compared to anything else like other online boards or real-life support groups? How is effectiveness (or whatever) defined and measured? And what do the researchers look at to determine it?
>
> Just curious. -mist
************************************************Well, Dr. Bob will have to answer your very interesting questions, but I would like to add that, for me, the effectiveness has a lot to do with the huge wealth of information available here that I have been unable to get from some of the best -- and most expensive --psychopharmacologists in New York. All the information is in one place (and, if not, there are often references to where I can find more information). As far as information on side effects of medicines, I would much rather hear about adverse reactions from the posters on this board than from the research papers written by doctors who receive remuneration from the pharmaceutical companies, most of which are not completely honest about adverse reactions (and that last statement is not a paranoid thought; I've worked for two of those drug companies and I've worked on clinical studies). It is very helpful/effective for me to communicate with others who are going through all the difficulties and frustrations that I am going through, but who somehow manage to get up the next morning and keep on trying.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2002, at 23:48:53
In reply to PB as research, posted by mist on February 2, 2002, at 22:07:15
> I know this research project (the Psycho-Babble boards) has to do with online support groups but am not sure specifically what it's looking for or at. How effective the group is? Is it being compared to anything else like other online boards or real-life support groups? How is effectiveness (or whatever) defined and measured? And what do the researchers look at to determine it?
Good questions!
Three other boards I thought I'd mention on Monday are:
tAPir
http://www.algy.com/cgi-bin/forums/ultimatebb.cgiBraintalk Communities
http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi?action=introNetDoktor.com
http://community.netdoktor.com/ccs/uk/depression/support/index.jspAre there others that you'd recommend? No, I haven't done any systematic comparisons, but that would be interesting...
But the whole issue of what exactly to look at, and how, still needs to be worked out. Except for statistics from the server, it's all very impressionistic now. I think one way to start might be with a survey. That was the subject of a thread on Tele-Psycho-Babble:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/tele/20010601/msgs/90.html
More input would be great...
Bob
Posted by mist on February 3, 2002, at 12:47:20
In reply to Re: PB as research, posted by Dr. Bob on February 2, 2002, at 23:48:53
I can't think of any other boards now that would be good but will let you know if I do in the future. I used to read the depression board at HealthBoards.com sometimes. Psycho-Babble (including PSB) is different from anything else I've seen. It feels more hopeful and solution-oriented, while still with a sense of respect for what members are going through at the time they post.
A survey does seem like a good idea. I'm not a scientist, just find this interesting, but if I think of anything that might be useful (such as suggestions for survey questions) I'll let you know. -mist
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 4, 2002, at 19:59:26
In reply to Re: PB as research, posted by mist on February 3, 2002, at 12:47:20
> I can't think of any other boards now that would be good but will let you know if I do in the future. I used to read the depression board at HealthBoards.com sometimes.
In case anyone else is interested, it's at:
http://www.healthboards.com/cgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=40
(Yet *another* Ultimate BB. Am I missing the boat?)
> if I think of anything that might be useful (such as suggestions for survey questions) I'll let you know.
Great, thanks!
Bob
Posted by mist on February 5, 2002, at 13:20:12
In reply to Re: PB as research, posted by Dr. Bob on February 4, 2002, at 19:59:26
> (Yet *another* Ultimate BB. Am I missing the boat?)
Personally, I like the format of this one better. It feels more open. I don't know anything about BBs though beyond the superficial, from an individual user's perspective. -mist
This is the end of the thread.
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