How patients with chronic disease create value in online health communities? A mixed methods study from social technical perspective

Abstract

Online health communities can help patients with chronic diseases to better self-manage their health and provide an effective channel for doctor-patient and patient-patient health value co-creation. However, fewer studies have explored the factors influencing chronic disease patients’ participation in health value co-creation in online health communities from a comprehensive perspective. By combining a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative research, this study established a research model based on the socio-technical systems theory to systematically explore the factors influencing the participation of patients with chronic diseases in health value co-creation. Data were collected from patients with chronic diseases who had used an online health community and partial least square-structural equation modelling was used to test the data. The results revealed that the impact of interactivity on information and emotional support, as well as the impact of social support and service convenience on health value co-creation intention, were significant. The moderating effect of service convenience on the impact of emotional support on health value co-creation has also been validated. Originality: This study provides insights to further understand the psychological characteristics of patients with chronic diseases and optimize the use of online health platforms. From a health management perspective, this study promotes an understanding of the online behavioral characteristics of patients with chronic diseases.