Examining online chat within a domain of uncertainty: the case of Asperger's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether grounded theory can be applied as a cross-disciplinary evaluative framework for assessing health information, especially within domain-specific peer-to-peer networks.


METHODS
Using a grounded-theory approach, we seek to identify recurring themes of peer-based interaction, without the ongoing management of clinical experts, as a way to determine stakeholder concerns and interests in a domain of frequent clinical uncertainty and treatment, Asperger's syndrome.


RESULTS
We find that users of web-based information in such areas often report reliance on information for medical decision making and disease management, at times to the point where interaction becomes a form of 'cybertherapy.' Further, such groups often evolve into disease-specific, 'virtual support groups', even where discussions highlight a lack of consensus regarding the role, function and quality of information within this unique domain.


CONCLUSIONS
A grounded theory approach can successfully be applied in a domain-specific setting to identify themes in unstructured peer-to-peer discussion of ill-defined diseases and treatments.
Lorence
Daniel
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Department of Health Policy and Administration, Center for Technology Assessment, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. Danlor467@yahoo.com
D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups