The Internet and the Emergence of CCSVI: A Research Project

[jekelly]

Hello Everyone,

I have been lurking on this website and forum for sometime now and am impressed with the insightful comments that have been made regarding CCSVI.

The reason why I am choosing to post now is that I am a master’s student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Calgary. I am currently working on my thesis, which examines how information posted in online discussion boards, forums and blogs is impacting how people with MS view CCSVI and its treatment. I have undertaken this project for two main reasons: firstly, I have personal connection to MS, as a member of my family suffers from the disease. Secondly, I am interested in studying how a medium such as the internet is impacting how individuals make decisions regarding their health and medical treatments.

I would like interview (via email) individuals living with MS that have used the internet to search for information on CCSVI and its treatment. It is not necessary that you have made posts in MS-related discussion boards. I also hope to recruit some participants that have been tested or treated for CCSVI. I request that any individual that contacts me be over the age of majority (18 years or older). Additionally, this project has been approved by my University's Institutional Review Board.

If you are willing to consider being interviewed, or have any further questions regarding this project, please feel free to contact me at jekelly@ucalgary.ca. If you choose to participate in this study I will email you an informed consent sheet which provides details about your participation in this study, as well as an interview guide to be filled out. Participation in this project will be confidential.

Thank you,

Jenny Kelly

[jekelly]

I am still looking for more participants for my study. If you are interested in my project, I can email you a copy of both the interview guide and informed consent for you to review before agreeing to participate.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like to partake you can contact me at jekelly@ucalgary.ca.

Thanks,
Jenny

[daniel]

bump.

email sent

[MarkW]

I also participated in this study. Because my typing is slow (right side works slowly) I gave my answers verbally, which Jenny recorded. PwMS need this type of social science research as well as CCSVI studies, please volunteer if you are able.

MarkW