Background: The Internet is an important tool for empowering patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to learn about and self-manage their condition.
Purpose: To understand which aspects of the online experience facilitates or hinders the perceived ability of patients with COPD to achieve their information and self-management goals.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medically underserved patients with COPD (N = 25) who access the Internet for health. A conventional content analysis approach was applied and data were analyzed with the constant comparative method.
Results: The following themes were derived: (1) desire to associate with "in-group" members; (2) relationship building with other online users; (3) security of information and identity; (4) source and channel credibility appraisal; (5) user assistance and tutorials; and (6) strategies to adapt technological functions.
Discussion: Success in using the Internet was dependent on the functional use of technology and the ability and resilience to engage with similar online users to build meaningful and trustworthy connections.
Translation to health education practice: Prior to directing patients with COPD to a disease-specific online support platform, certified health education specialists must assess patients' information goals and their skills to critically appraise and communicate with other online users.
Keywords: COPD; computer-mediated communication; eHealth; health communication; social media.