Posted by Bekka H. on February 2, 2002, at 22:32:58
In reply to PB as research, posted by mist on February 2, 2002, at 22:07:15
> I know this research project (the Psycho-Babble boards) has to do with online support groups but am not sure specifically what it's looking for or at. How effective the group is? Is it being compared to anything else like other online boards or real-life support groups? How is effectiveness (or whatever) defined and measured? And what do the researchers look at to determine it?
>
> Just curious. -mist
************************************************Well, Dr. Bob will have to answer your very interesting questions, but I would like to add that, for me, the effectiveness has a lot to do with the huge wealth of information available here that I have been unable to get from some of the best -- and most expensive --psychopharmacologists in New York. All the information is in one place (and, if not, there are often references to where I can find more information). As far as information on side effects of medicines, I would much rather hear about adverse reactions from the posters on this board than from the research papers written by doctors who receive remuneration from the pharmaceutical companies, most of which are not completely honest about adverse reactions (and that last statement is not a paranoid thought; I've worked for two of those drug companies and I've worked on clinical studies). It is very helpful/effective for me to communicate with others who are going through all the difficulties and frustrations that I am going through, but who somehow manage to get up the next morning and keep on trying.
poster:Bekka H.
thread:2826
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20011216/msgs/2827.html