Need assessment and implementation of digital storytelling to offer various forms of support for sufferers of and awareness for systemic exertion intolerance disease, or S.E.I.D., formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, or C.F.S.

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Authors
Smith, David Ray
Advisor
Caristi, Dom
Issue Date
2016-12-17
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.A.)
Department
Department of Telecommunications
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Project explores need assessment and implementation of knowledge base platform to offer a wide range of resources and support for those afflicted by what was, in spring 2015, renamed Systematic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID), formerly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)—a condition from which this researcher has personally suffered for many years as do millions worldwide. Shockingly, no single website currently offers a well-rounded database of personal narratives, medical research, or accessible resources for practical help, presented in such a way with the SEID sufferer as the target audience—something this researcher had been looking for early on in his medical journey. Project analyzes secondary research—published literature on internet technology use and communications preferences of those living with chronic illness or disease—to ultimately determine which platform of digital storytelling (website, video, commercial, social media, etc.) is most effective in achieving desired awareness of and support for the disease, while specifically accommodating those with the disease. Project concludes with launch of fully functional multimedia platform deemed most effective medium for achieving these desired goals. Project contains compilation and annotation of research—a cohesive narrative based on research through assessment of scholarly databases and study of both peer-reviewed journal articles and popular/non-peer-reviewed sources—in addition to launch of actual knowledge base platform itself.