Journal article
Managing Uncertainty in the Context of Clubfoot Care: Exploring the Value of Uncertainty Management Theory and the Sense of Virtual Community
The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.33, pp.142-148
2013
PMCID: PMC3748870
PMID: 24027474
Appears in Diamond Open Access
Abstract
Serious health conditions, such as clubfoot, could be a major source of uncertainty and stress for parents of children affected. How parents deal with uncertainty and stress as related to their child’s health condition is of interest for medical professionals and health communicators alike. While physicians remain a preferred source of health information, during medical encounters or via phone and email communication, many individuals seek out health information on the Internet, including in online support communities. This study explored the connections between Uncertainty Management Theory (UMT) constructs and the potential contribution of the sense of virtual community (SOVC) to the UMT framework. The results of this research suggest that the UMT needs to be adapted for use in online contexts. One way is to include theoretical constructs, such as the sense of virtual community, specifically developed to measure online interactions. A modified and updated Uncertainty Management Theory could be useful in exploring, analyzing and understanding online behaviors related to health conditions such as clubfoot and thus contribute substantially to what we know about caregivers in their role as uncertainty managers.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Managing Uncertainty in the Context of Clubfoot Care: Exploring the Value of Uncertainty Management Theory and the Sense of Virtual Community
- Creators
- Florin Oprescu - University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLDShelly Campo - University of IowaJohn Lowe - University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLDJulie Andsager - University of IowaJose A Morcuende - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.33, pp.142-148
- Publisher
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, The University of Iowa; United States
- PMID
- 24027474
- PMCID
- PMC3748870
- ISSN
- 1541-5457
- eISSN
- 1555-1377
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2013
- Academic Unit
- Graduate College Admin and Gen; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Communication Studies; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984040466602771
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