Accessing Support and Empowerment Online: The Experiences of Individuals with Diabetes

Overview

Journal Health Expect

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Public Health

Date 2017 Jul 19

PMID 28718928

Citations 20

Authors

Ellen Brady

Julia Segar

Caroline Sanders

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Context: The use of the internet for health information by those with long-term conditions is growing. It has been argued that this represents a form of empowerment by patients, as it enables them to control the content and flow of the information available to them. To explore this, the use of online discussion groups by those with diabetes was examined.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants with type 1 and 2 diabetes and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were recruited via online and offline routes, namely discussion boards, newsletters, and research networks related to diabetes.

Results: By drawing on the advice, information, and support shared online, participants were empowered to position themselves as active participants in their own health care and to further engage with health-care professionals.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that forums can play a valuable role in aiding and motivating individuals in the daily management diabetes and highlight how this support is used to complement formal health services. However, more work needs to be carried out to determine to explore when and under what circumstances online support may be particularly beneficial to those with long-term conditions.

Citing Articles

A mixed studies systematic review on the health and wellbeing effects, and underlying mechanisms, of online support groups for chronic conditions.

Mills F, Drury J, Hall C, Weston D, Symons C, Amlot R Commun Psychol. 2025; 3(1):40.

PMID: 40089592 DOI: 10.1038/s44271-025-00217-6.

Exploring the Needs and Preferences of Users and Parents to Design a Mobile App to Deliver Mental Health Peer Support to Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

Yakubu T, Jhajj P, Pawer S, West N, Amed S, Tang T JMIR Diabetes. 2025; 10:e64267.

PMID: 39832366 PMC: 11791445. DOI: 10.2196/64267.

Service Users' Experiences of a Nationwide Digital Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Intervention (Healthy Living): Qualitative Interview Study.

Hawkes R, Benton J, Cotterill S, Sanders C, French D JMIR Diabetes. 2024; 9:e56276.

PMID: 39024002 PMC: 11294771. DOI: 10.2196/56276.

Could Online Education Replace Face-to-Face Education in Diabetes? A Systematic Review.

Alonso-Carril N, Rodriguez-Rodriguez S, Quiros C, Berrocal B, Amor A, Barahona M Diabetes Ther. 2024; 15(7):1513-1524.

PMID: 38743305 PMC: 11211299. DOI: 10.1007/s13300-024-01595-6.

Experiences of online group support for engaging and supporting participants in the National Health Service Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme: A qualitative interview study.

Cheung W, Miles L, Hawkes R, French D J Health Serv Res Policy. 2023; 29(2):100-110.

PMID: 38096783 PMC: 10910750. DOI: 10.1177/13558196231212846.

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