Table 4.
Themes, categories, and example codes of perceived advantages of Internet-based interventions.
| Themes | Frequency, n (%) | Categories | Example codes | |
| Sample 1 (n=117) |
Sample 2 (n=146) |
|||
| Flexibility regarding time and location | ||||
| 13 (11.1) | 17 (11.6) | No transportation | No need to leave home when feeling sick No transportation More comfortable at home No need to go out and meet people No need to visit hospital/treatment facility |
|
| 8 (6.8) | 10 (6.8) | Independent of time and place | I can work with the program when and where it best suits me Easier to fit into my daily schedule More flexible |
|
| 4 (3.4) | 11 (7.5) | No need to schedule appointments | No need to schedule/keep appointments Independent of visiting hours |
|
| Low effort | ||||
| 13 (11.1) | 9 (6.2) | Time-saving | Quick Less time-consuming Time-effective |
|
| 16 (13.7) | 5 (3.4) | Cheap | Cost-effective Cheaper for the individual and society Affordable |
|
| 11 (9.4) | 4 (2.7) | Convenient | Easy Low effort |
|
| Accessibility | ||||
| 8 (6.8) | 16 (11.0) | Reach | Accessible for more people Increased access for people working odd hours Increased access for people in rural areas/living abroad Easy to access |
|
| 3 (2.6) | 12 (8.2) | Always available | Internet available 24/7 Always available |
|
| 5 (4.3) | 4 (2.7) | No delay | No waiting list/queue Decreased delay of treatment onset Quick treatment onset |
|
| Anonymity | ||||
| 4 (3.4) | 7 (4.8) | Integrity | More integrity More anonymous/private |
|
| 5 (4.3) | 1 (0.7) | Lack of face-to-face contact with a therapist | No need to see a therapist Less embarrassing than seeing a therapist No eye contact—no shame |
|
| 5 (4.3) | 0 (0) | Nobody needs to know | My family does not need to know More people would dare to seek treatment if anonymous |
|
| Credibility | ||||
| 6 (5.1) | 5 (3.4) | Treatment expectancy |
Good If I had problems I would use it Interesting |
|
| 2 (1.7) | 5 (3.4) | Useful information | When you need concrete advice such as checklists Information is saved |
|
| 0 (0) | 4 (2.7) | Standardized | Treatment less influenced by the individual therapist Independent of the therapist |
|
| User empowerment | ||||
| 2 (1.7) | 8 (5.5) | Decide duration | I can initiate/terminate treatment when I want/need Sense of self-help |
|
| 1 (0.9) | 4 (2.7) | Own pace | Time to reflect Work at your own pace |
|
| 0 (0) | 2 (1.4) | Choose content | You can choose treatment More alternatives |
|
| Improved communication | ||||
| 7 (6.0) | 4 (2.7) | Self-disclosure | Easier to express oneself Easier to be open and honest Easier to write than to tell face to face Dare to ask |
|
| None | 1 (0.9) | 15 (10.3) | None | N/Aa |
| Do not know | 3 (2.6) | 3 (2.1) | Do not know | N/A |
| Total | 117 (100) | 146 (100) | N/A | N/A |
aN/A: not applicable.