Research shows that people with diabetes benefit from ‘peer support’, (where people with the same condition are connected with each other) but less than 10% of people with type 1 diabetes know someone else with type 1 diabetes.
T1resources.uk has been co-created by healthcare professionals and people affected by type 1 diabetes. It brings the wealth of information available online into one place, where information can be searched and filtered. It aims to empower people to manage their diabetes themselves and encourage social networking in a supported manner. Resources include videos, guides, online forums and blogs.
People who use the website can register to rate or comment on individual resources. A lack of peer support can lead to isolation and feelings of being overwhelmed with the daily tasks associated with self-managing this complex long-term condition. There are a wealth of online resources ranging from ‘how to’ video clips, forums, blogs and informative ebooklets.
People who use the internet to connect with others and find information describe the benefits of online resources, but many people are easily put off by the overwhelming number of resources, and uncertainty of content quality.Mike has type 1 diabetes and has been accessing peer support online for the past five years. He says, ‘Online peer support came as a complete revelation to me, suddenly being connected to hundreds and thousands of people facing the same frustrations and challenges every day. I learned so much about what was good, and not so good, in my own diabetes management in just a few months. Finally, I was among people who instinctively 'get it' and I was empowered and enabled to significantly improve my self-management. It has also allowed me to get much more out of my clinic appointments by knowing what to ask and where I need help."
Dr Partha Kar, Associate National Clinical Director for Diabetes at NHS England says about T1 Resources: ‘This resource is welcome, not only from a patient perspective, but also from a health care professional’s viewpoint. It is a step in the right direction aiming to help with self-management as well as acting as a resource pool for anyone with type 1 diabetes. I envisage this growing further with the ever expanding world of social media, innovation and technology - all in all, an exciting new development in the world of type 1 diabetes.”
