“Using humanity to change systems” – Understanding the work of online feedback moderation: a case study of Care Opinion Scotland

Emma Berry* (Corresponding Author), Zoe Skea, Marion Campbell, Louise Locock

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
4 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective
To gain a deeper understanding of online patient feedback moderation through the organisation of Care Opinion in Scotland.

Methods
An ethnographic study, initially using in-person participant observations, switching to remote methods due to the pandemic. This involved the use of remote observations and interviews. Interviews were carried out with the whole Scottish team (n = 8).

Results
Our results identify three major themes of work found in online patient feedback moderation. The first is process work, where moderators make decisions on how to edit and publish stories. The second is emotional labour from working with healthcare experiences and with NHS staff. The third is the brokering/mediation role of Care Opinion, where they must manage the relationships between authors, subscribing healthcare providers and Scottish Government. Our results also capture that these different themes are not independent and can at times influence the others.

Conclusion
Our results build on previous literature on Care Opinion and provide novel insights into the emotional and brokering/mediation work they undertake. Care Opinion holds a unique position, where they must balance the interests of the key stakeholders. Care Opinion holds the power to amplify authors’ voices but the power to make changes to services lies with NHS staff and services. Online moderation work is complex, and moderators require support to carry out their work especially given the emotional impact. Further research is planned to understand how patient stories are used by NHS Scotland, and the emotional labour involved with stories, from both the author and NHS staff perspective.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalDigital Health
Volume8
Early online date23 Feb 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project was funded by The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute as part of a PhD fellowship, LL’s role is supported by the Chief Scientist's Office, Scotland.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Care Opinion for their support and help with this research and the wider PhD. We would also like to thank the PhD stakeholder group for their input and support to the project. Finally, we wish to thank the reviewers for their suggestions during peer review, which strengthened the paper.

Keywords

  • Emotional labour
  • ethnography
  • patient experience
  • patient feedback
  • online feedback
  • qualitative research
  • care opinion

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