Abstract

ROLDAN-TOVAR, Laura; MUNOZ-COBOS, Francisca  and  MARTOS-CRESPO, Francisco. Internet as a data source in qualitative research in health sciences. Virtual Patient Communities. Index Enferm [online]. 2023, vol.32, n.1, e13168.  Epub Sep 18, 2023. ISSN 1699-5988.  https://dx.doi.org/10.58807/indexenferm20234361.

Virtual Patient Communities are a potential data source for qualitative research, allowing to explore the patient perspective and experience about their chronic diseases. In this article we analyse the possibilities of using these virtual patient communities, and we provide a methodological proposal. It starts from a bibliographic review and a practical adaptation to the qualitative methodology is carried out following the scheme: research question-objectives-hypothesis-sampling-analysis of conversation threads. Principles of netnography and netspeak are applied. The sampling frame is websites of virtual patient communities that are selected according to disease, objectives, quality and time limits. Content of the analysis of the threads: theme, number of participants, conversational sequences, protagonists, rules and climate. A provisional report is made, and the definitive report will be make after the return to virtual patient community for their contributions. The cycle restarts if the research questions are not answered.

Keywords : Internet; Qualitative Research; Chronic Disease.