Understanding experiences of virtual group interventions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring experiences of participants and facilitators of virtual group interventions for the prevention and management of chronic physical conditions.
IRAS ID
325953
Contact name
Charlotte Reburn
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to increase our understanding of the experiences of participants and facilitators of virtual group interventions for the prevention and management of chronic physical conditions. Specifically, this project is looking at programmes such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. This programme is delivered to individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and focuses on key aspects of behaviour change, such as having a healthy diet and taking part in physical activity. Some sessions of this programme are currently being delivered using group videoconferencing, delivered on behalf of the NHS by another company. Participants and facilitators of these types of virtual programme will be interviewed, to increase our understanding of how they experienced these programmes. Specifically, this will look at what participants and facilitators thought were the benefits and drawbacks of virtual group delivery, including any perceived changes in health equity. Participants and facilitators will also be asked about perceived mechanisms for behaviour change present in these virtual groups (i.e., how they are perceived to work to initiate behaviour change in participants).
This study is being conducted because virtual group programmes for prevention of conditions such as type 2 diabetes have been increasing in popularity in recent years, and it is important to understand how these programmes are experienced by participants and facilitators. This is because these programmes are a relatively novel mode of delivering healthcare. Understanding how participants and facilitators experience these programmes will help us to understand how these interventions can be optimised for future delivery, in order to maximise outcome benefits for future participants.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
23/NI/0093
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion