Understanding Virtual Group Interventions in Healthcare: Exploring Experiences

Abstract

Background In recent years, virtual group-based interventions have been increasingly used in healthcare to support health promotion and prevention and management of long-term health conditions. Examples of common chronic physical conditions that have been supported by these interventions include type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. This thesis aims to explore adult participant engagement with, and experiences of, virtual group-based health interventions. Understanding how and where these interventions have been used, and exploring how participants have received them, is important for informing how their use can be optimised.

Methods The work undertaken for this thesis consisted of two projects: a mixed-methods systematic review and a qualitative interview study. For the review, searches were conducted in five databases in June 2022, to identify videoconference-based group interventions targeting chronic physical conditions. Findings from included studies were synthesised using the convergent integrated approach to mixed-methods synthesis. For the interview study, participants and facilitators involved in a range of virtual group-based health interventions participated in semi-structured interviews exploring benefits, drawbacks, facilitators and barriers to virtual groups. Framework analysis based on themes generated by the review was used to summarise findings.

Results Nineteen studies reporting on 17 interventions were included in the systematic review. Five main themes were generated: 1) attendance and dropout; 2) barriers to attending/engaging; 3) experiences of using technology; 4) experiences of intervention features; and 5) experiences of group interactions. In interviews for the second study with six participants and four facilitators of virtual groups, these themes were largely supported. Overall, participants felt that a major advantage over in-person groups was a lack of travel, as well as forming bonds with fellow participants. However, sometimes, social restrictions in virtual groups meant that these bonds took longer to form.

Conclusions Findings suggest that virtual group interventions for preventing and/or managing chronic physical conditions represent a convenient and positive alternative to in-person groups. Recommendations for future interventions focused on ways to increase rapport and bonding in virtual groups. Future research could explore experiences across a wider range of conditions, including mental health conditions.