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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Design of an online health-promoting community: negotiating user community needs with public health goals and service capabilities

Authors: Joakim Ekberg, Toomas Timpka, Marianne Angbratt, Linda Frank, Anna-Maria Norén, Lena Hedin, Emelie Andersen, Elin A Gursky, Boel Andersson Gäre

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

An online health-promoting community (OHPC) has the potential to promote health and advance new means of dialogue between public health representatives and the general public. The aim of this study was to examine what aspects of an OHPC that are critical for satisfying the needs of the user community and public health goals and service capabilities.

Methods

Community-based participatory research methods were used for data collection and analysis, and participatory design principles to develop a case study OHPC for adolescents. Qualitative data from adolescents on health appraisals and perspectives on health information were collected in a Swedish health service region and classified into categories of user health information exchange needs. A composite design rationale for the OHPC was completed by linking the identified user needs, user-derived requirements, and technical and organizational systems solutions. Conflicts between end-user requirements and organizational goals and resources were identified.

Results

The most prominent health information needs were associated to food, exercise, and well-being. The assessment of the design rationale document and prototype in light of the regional public health goals and service capabilities showed that compromises were needed to resolve conflicts involving the management of organizational resources and responsibilities. The users wanted to discuss health issues with health experts having little time to set aside to the OHPC and it was unclear who should set the norms for the online discussions.

Conclusions

OHPCs can be designed to satisfy both the needs of user communities and public health goals and service capabilities. Compromises are needed to resolve conflicts between users’ needs to discuss health issues with domain experts and the management of resources and responsibilities in public health organizations.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Design of an online health-promoting community: negotiating user community needs with public health goals and service capabilities
Authors
Joakim Ekberg
Toomas Timpka
Marianne Angbratt
Linda Frank
Anna-Maria Norén
Lena Hedin
Emelie Andersen
Elin A Gursky
Boel Andersson Gäre
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-13-258

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