In this talk Matt Gieve and David Drabble describe the recently completed evaluation of Shift.ms, an online social network for people with multiple sclerosis.

This talk took place in April 2014 as part of the TIHR’s ‘Food for Thought’ lunchtime series.

The talk looks at various dimensions of the research:

• First, a description of the service offered by Shift.ms to its users
• Second, the nature and purpose of the evaluation as well as some of the key findings
• And third, a wider discussion of the field including thoughts and reflections generated by the research.

Recording of the talk

Part 1 of the talk:

Video clip referred to during the first part of the talk:

Part 2 of the talk:

Video clip referred to during the second part of the talk:

Part 3 of the talk:

Slides from talk

David Drabble and Matt Gieve are both Researcher/ Consultants at the Tavistock Institute working predominantly on evaluations. Their work covers a wide range of research topics including: online patient feedback, the costs and benefits of possible measures on paternity and filial leave; young people’s mental health, family separation, and relationship support. As social scientists they use sociological and psychological perspectives to understand their research topics.