Use of Internet resources by individuals with Lyme Disease

Kelly Waldman Duke University
Advised by Kateryna Kuksenok Oberlin College and Jennifer Mankoff HCII, Carnegie Mellon University

Abstract

We report on a study of how people with chronic illnesses, specifically Lyme disease, use the Internet.  This paper will focus on the qualitative study being done, specifically the collection and analysis processes.  Interviews were used to collect the data; and the data was analyzed using a network of codes based on grounded theory.  A major trend found from the data revealed that the use of the internet correlated with the difficulty of the patient’s medical journey.

Keywords

Chronic Illness, Health 2.0, Web 2.0, Qualitative analysis, Information foraging

Acknowledgements

Funding for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation, Project EEC 0755184 and IIC-0916459.

Author Contact Information

Kelly Waldman AT Box #94945, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, Phone (412) 526-6019 EMAIL: kelly.waldman@duke.edu
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