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Women to Women Phase1
The overall goal of Phase 1 of the Women to Women Project
was to use telecommunication technology to provide information and mutual
support to middle-aged rural women living with chronic illness, and
to evaluate the impact of participation in computer-based support group
on the women’s psychosocial health. Over the course of this phase
of the project 150 rural women (five cohorts of 15 computer group and
15 non-computer group) with cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or
rheumatoid conditions participated. Media, health agencies, coperative
extension, and other snowball contacts were used to alert women to the
study. After volunteering and completing a screening telephone interview
they were randomized into the computer or non-computer group.
The telecommunication intervention, which used personal computers and
the "FirstClass" conferencing system, consisted of four components: "Conversation", "HealthChat", "Mailbox",
and "Resource Rack". For 5 months the computer group participated in a “self-help” support
and educational group. The non-computer group continued to use their usual
modes of support and communication. At baseline, 2 ½,
5, 7 ½ and 10 months both groups participate in phone interviews
and completed written questionnaires to measure psychosocial outcomes.
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