Table 2.

Objectives of included articles (N=13).

Reference	Objective
Beck et al [38]	Evaluate SMARTa (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery Australia’s scale-up of online support groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bergmans et al [29]	Present lessons learned from transitioning the Skills for Safer Living intervention to a digital format.
Bouey et al [32]	Explore the challenges Chinese POsb faced during the first COVID-19 lockdown and how they responded.
Chung et al [37]	Examine the impact of the pandemic on rare disease POs in the Asia-Pacific region.
Constantini et al [33]	Compare the experiences of members of support groups that have transitioned to a digital format with general findings from the literature on online support groups.
Kelly et al [30]	Discuss the global impact of COVID-19 on SMART Recovery International with facilitators from different regions.
Lamont et al [36]	Explore stroke survivors’ perceptions of social support and shared identity within stroke groups during COVID-19 and its impact on psychosocial health.
Marks et al [35]	Investigate the effectiveness and experiences of participants in online tinnitus support groups and educational webinars implemented during COVID-19.
McMullan et al [28]	Examine the impact of the pandemic on rare disease POs in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Nemeth Blažić et al [31]	Describe, among other things, the digitalization of a PO’s voluntary counseling and testing services for HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections during the pandemic.
Penfold and Ogden [39]	Explore Gamblers Anonymous members’ experiences with digitally delivered group meetings during the pandemic to understand the effectiveness and support provided compared to in-person meetings.
Seckam and Hallingberg [34]	Examine stroke survivors’ experiences with the transition from in-person to digital choir sessions during COVID-19.
Senreich et al [40]	Explore 12-step program attendees’ experiences with in-person group meetings transitioning to digital formats.

^aSMART: Self-Management and Recovery Training.

^bPO: patient organization.