{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32711"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/32711","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Living with Chordoma Online: A Thematic Analysis of User's Experiences in an Online Cancer Support Group","abstract":"The internet has revolutionized the way people are able to seek information and express themselves. Many fields have been dramatically impacted by its occurrence and the health field is no exception. It is becoming increasingly popular to participate in online discussion forums centered on health-related topics. The goal of this research is to describe participants' experience of using an on-line forum focused on Chordoma, a rare form of cancer. Analysis of free-response questionnaires filled out by members of the forum, revealed four key themes: (a) the forum is a source of invaluable information, (b) the forum is a source for emotional support and hope, (c) members share a unique bond that often results in friendship, and (d) members' involvement changes over time. Benefits obtained by the users and implications for medical professionals are discussed.","abstract_html":"The internet has revolutionized the way people are able to seek information and express themselves. Many fields have been dramatically impacted by its occurrence and the health field is no exception. It is becoming increasingly popular to participate in online discussion forums centered on health-related topics. The goal of this research is to describe participants' experience of using an on-line forum focused on Chordoma, a rare form of cancer. Analysis of free-response questionnaires filled out by members of the forum, revealed four key themes: (a) the forum is a source of invaluable information, (b) the forum is a source for emotional support and hope, (c) members share a unique bond that often results in friendship, and (d) members' involvement changes over time. Benefits obtained by the users and implications for medical professionals are discussed.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Xenakis, Gina Marie"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Marketing","degree_department":"Marketing","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Brinberg, David L."],"committee_members":["Nakamoto, Kent","Weaver, Kimberlee D."],"year":2009,"date_issued":"2009-05-12","date_published":"2009-05-12","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:19:22Z","subjects":["Online Health Forum","Chordoma","Cancer Support Group"],"languages":[],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["etd-05132009-155110"],"render_values":[{"text":"etd-05132009-155110","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32711","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Brinberg, David L."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Nakamoto, Kent","Weaver, Kimberlee D."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Marketing"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Xenakis, Gina Marie"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2014-03-14T20:36:39Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2014-03-14T20:36:39Z","2009-06-02"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2009-05-12"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Marketing"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Online Health Forum","Chordoma","Cancer Support Group"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["etd-05132009-155110"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32711"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The internet has revolutionized the way people are able to seek information and express themselves. Many fields have been dramatically impacted by its occurrence and the health field is no exception. It is becoming increasingly popular to participate in online discussion forums centered on health-related topics. The goal of this research is to describe participants' experience of using an on-line forum focused on Chordoma, a rare form of cancer. Analysis of free-response questionnaires filled out by members of the forum, revealed four key themes: (a) the forum is a source of invaluable information, (b) the forum is a source for emotional support and hope, (c) members share a unique bond that often results in friendship, and (d) members' involvement changes over time. Benefits obtained by the users and implications for medical professionals are discussed."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Living with Chordoma Online: A Thematic Analysis of User's Experiences in an Online Cancer Support Group"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Brinberg, David L."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Nakamoto, Kent","Weaver, Kimberlee D."],"dc:contributor.department":["Marketing"],"dc:creator":["Xenakis, Gina Marie"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2014-03-14T20:36:39Z"],"dc:date.available":["2014-03-14T20:36:39Z","2009-06-02"],"dc:date.issued":["2009-05-12"],"dc:description.abstract":["The internet has revolutionized the way people are able to seek information and express themselves. Many fields have been dramatically impacted by its occurrence and the health field is no exception. 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