Jennifer Currin-McCulloch1, Amelia Stanton2, Ryan Boyd3, Margaret Neaves4, Barbara Jones5. 1. School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Psychology Department, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. 4. Department of Social Work, Satellite Healthcare, San Jose, CA, USA. 5. Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Using two different analysis techniques, this study explored differences and similarities in information-seeking discourse and overall breast cancer experiences between posters to a Reddit board and breast cancer survivor focus groups. DESIGN: This study incorporates two qualitative methods for determining themes in breast cancer survivors' information-seeking behaviours and overall cancer experiences. First, posts from a breast cancer-specific Reddit community were extracted and analysed using the meaning extraction method (MEM) to determine core themes. Then, investigators performed a thematic analysis of two focus groups of breast cancer survivors (N = 18). Finally, themes derived from each analysis method were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures include themes extracted from Reddit posts and themes generated from breast cancer survivor focus groups. RESULTS: Findings between qualitative methodologies represent similar yet nuanced themes in survivors' discourse. The MEM resulted in seven themes: diagnosis, treatment process, social support, existentialism, risk, information-seeking and surgery. Focus groups revealed the same initial four MEM themes plus the following: disclosure, coping and fears. CONCLUSIONS: The MEM is a cost-effective research mechanism for informing common themes of experiences of cancer patients and survivors and may offer initial data to guide psychosocial oncology research design and recruitment.
OBJECTIVE: Using two different analysis techniques, this study explored differences and similarities in information-seeking discourse and overall breast cancer experiences between posters to a Reddit board and breast cancer survivor focus groups. DESIGN: This study incorporates two qualitative methods for determining themes in breast cancer survivors' information-seeking behaviours and overall cancer experiences. First, posts from a breast cancer-specific Reddit community were extracted and analysed using the meaning extraction method (MEM) to determine core themes. Then, investigators performed a thematic analysis of two focus groups of breast cancer survivors (N = 18). Finally, themes derived from each analysis method were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures include themes extracted from Reddit posts and themes generated from breast cancer survivor focus groups. RESULTS: Findings between qualitative methodologies represent similar yet nuanced themes in survivors' discourse. The MEM resulted in seven themes: diagnosis, treatment process, social support, existentialism, risk, information-seeking and surgery. Focus groups revealed the same initial four MEM themes plus the following: disclosure, coping and fears. CONCLUSIONS: The MEM is a cost-effective research mechanism for informing common themes of experiences of cancerpatients and survivors and may offer initial data to guide psychosocial oncology research design and recruitment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast cancer; focus groups; information-seeking; meaning extraction methods; social support
Authors: Krista M Nicklaus; Xiomara T Gonzalez; Koushalya Sachdev; Jun Liu; Deepti Chopra; Aubri S Hoffman; Summer E Hanson; Mia K Markey; Gregory P Reece Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2022-05-16