Exploring the Characteristics and Preferences for Online Support Groups: Mixed Method Study

Melanie Louise Plinsinga   ^{1 *} , PhD ;   Manuela Besomi   ^{1 *} , BSc, MSc ;   Liam Maclachlan   ¹ , PhD ;   Luciano Melo   ² , PhD ;   Sarah Robbins   ^{3, 4} , PhD ;   Belinda J Lawford   ⁵ , PhD ;   Pek Ling Teo   ⁵ , BPT, MHS ;   Kathryn Mills   ⁶ , PhD ;   Jenny Setchell   ¹ , PhD ;   Thorlene Egerton   ⁵ , PhD ;   Jillian Eyles   ^{3, 4} , PhD ;   Leanne Hall   ¹ , PhD ;   Rebecca Mellor   ¹ , PhD ;   David J Hunter   ^{3, 4} , MBBS, PhD, FRACP ;   Paul Hodges   ¹ , PhD ;   Bill Vicenzino   ¹ , PhD ;   Kim Bennell   ⁵ , PhD

¹ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

² The Sax Institute, Ultimo, Australia

³ Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Sydney, Australia

⁴ Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital and Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

⁵ Centre for Health, Exercise, and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia

⁶ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

*these authors contributed equally