UK adults with type 1 diabetes utilise mainstream social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, alongside specialist healthcare professionals and charities, for information about their condition and for peer support
Authors: Thompson, A., Luce, A., Appleton, K. and James, J.
Editors: Oliver, N.
Conference: Diabetes UK
Dates: 26-28 April 2023
Journal: Diabetes Medicine
Volume: 40
Issue: S1
Pages: 111
Publisher: Diabetes UK
Place of Publication: UK
ISSN: 0149-5992
Abstract:Aim: To understand the sources of diabetes information engaged with by adults with type 1 diabetes.
Method: An online questionnaire was developed and advertised via several diabetes charities and type 1 diabetes networks. Respondents were asked where they receive most of their diabetes information. Source options were grouped into categories and respondents could add their own. Respondents selected their top three sources and were asked to provide more detail if certain sources, like social media, were selected.
Results: 62 adults with type 1 diabetes completed the questionnaire, ranging in age from 18 – 72. There were 10 male and 52 female respondents. The top three sources were specialist diabetes healthcare teams (79%), social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (71%), and diabetes charities (40%). Other key sources were web sources like NHS online (32%), diabetes education courses (23%), and family and friends with diabetes (21%). Although social media was selected as a main source, when asked to specify where on social media information came from, 78% of participants specified other people with type 1 diabetes either in the form of peer support groups (54%) or the online type 1 diabetes community (24%).
Conclusion: Specialist diabetes teams remain a key source of diabetes communication for people with type 1 diabetes, along with charities and social media. However, where social media is used, the primary source of information is other people with type 1 diabetes, demonstrating the importance of peer support to those with type 1 diabetes.
Source: Manual
