649738
letter2016
DSTXXX10.1177/1932296816649738Journal of Diabetes Science and TechnologyPollock et al
Letter to the Editor
Online Resources for Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: What Adolescents Want
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 2016, Vol. 10(6) 1419–1420 © 2016 Diabetes Technology Society Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1932296816649738 dst.sagepub.com
Allison J. Pollock, MD1, Megan A. Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH2, M. Tracy Bekx, MD1, and Ellen L. Connor, MD1 Keywords adolescents, apps, Internet, online resources, type 1 diabetes Over 18 000 youth are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) annually. Diabetes control is often suboptimal in adolescents. Online and mobile technology may provide accessible avenues to gain diabetes education and support. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to survey adolescent patients with T1D age 11-19 years with an online questionnaire to evaluate how adolescent patients with T1D use online resources to understand and manage diabetes. A total of 57 subjects (54% female) completed the survey (response rate = 88%); mean age was 14.4 years (SD = 2.26). Responses to common diabetes scenarios included “Go online,” “Contact provider,” and “Other.” When prompted with an emergent situation, significantly more subjects indicated “Contact provider” (75%) than all other responses (P < .0001); few subjects indicated “Go online” (5%). When prompted with a sensitive situation, significantly more subjects indicated “Go online” (67%) than “Contact provider” (33%) (P = .027). See Figure 1 for scenario results. This questionnaire examined how adolescents with T1D use online resources to understand and manage their diabetes. In addition, Internet access, perceived utility of diabetes resources, and usage of resources were queried, as well as how participants might react to common scenarios that occur in children with T1D. Research focusing on Internet access for online information and support in parents of children with T1D is emerging.1,2 One study of caregivers of children with T1D revealed 96% had access to the Internet, and 64% used the Internet for diabetes resources, with social media being the most common source. The authors concluded that health care providers should assess caregivers’ use of online resources and recommend appropriate resources, not only in clinic visits, but also via web pages and social media.3 Another survey directed at teens (n = 78, aged 13-17 years) with diabetes reported 89% accessed the Internet and 53% used the Internet to look for health information.4 Our
study’s finding that 81% of adolescents use the Internet to help with diabetes management reinforces this usage. Not only should diabetes providers suggest appropriate online resources to parents and caregivers, but these messages should also be directed toward adolescents with T1D. Study limitations include the relatively small number of participants (n = 57) with a wide age range within the broad category of adolescence. In addition, an inherent limitation in this field is the speed at which technology and online resources and availability change in type, format, and content. Despite these limitations, general trends in more use of online resources are likely valid. This study suggests that online resources are often used to supplement diabetes knowledge, support, and management problem solving and discussion of what safe, reliable resources are available should be part of routine diabetes care. Adolescents use the Internet as a resource to improve their diabetes knowledge. For sensitive topics, teens often go online rather than speak with providers. To improve care and foster independent learning, providers should be familiar with technology in order to make appropriate online resource recommendations and engage in conversation about sensitive issues. Using online resources to address sensitive topics in a general manner can foster lines of communication for teens to discuss topics for clarification.
1
Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA Corresponding Author: Allison J. Pollock, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave Box 4108, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Email: [email protected]
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Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 10(6)
Figure 1. Diabetes scenarios: What would you do first to find an answer?
Abbreviation
References
T1D, type 1 diabetes.
1. Balkhi AM, Reid AM, McNamara JP, Geffken GR. The diabetes online community: the importance of forum use in parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes. 2014;15(6):408-415. 2. Ayers SL, Kronenfeld JJ. Chronic illness and health-seeking information on the Internet. Health (London). 2007;11(3):327-347. 3. Balkhi AM, Olsen B, Lazaroe L, Silverstein J, Geffken GR. Paging Dr. Google: parents’ report of Internet use for type 1 diabetes management. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(2):e18-e19. 4. Chisolm DJ, Hardin DS, McCoy KS, Johnson LD, McAlearney AS, Gardner W. Health literacy and willingness to use online health information by teens with asthma and diabetes. Telemed J E Health. 2011;17(9):676-682.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Funding for this project was provided by NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant T32 DK077586-06A1.
letter2016
DSTXXX10.1177/1932296816649738Journal of Diabetes Science and TechnologyPollock et al
Letter to the Editor
Online Resources for Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes: What Adolescents Want
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 2016, Vol. 10(6) 1419–1420 © 2016 Diabetes Technology Society Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1932296816649738 dst.sagepub.com
Allison J. Pollock, MD1, Megan A. Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH2, M. Tracy Bekx, MD1, and Ellen L. Connor, MD1 Keywords adolescents, apps, Internet, online resources, type 1 diabetes Over 18 000 youth are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) annually. Diabetes control is often suboptimal in adolescents. Online and mobile technology may provide accessible avenues to gain diabetes education and support. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to survey adolescent patients with T1D age 11-19 years with an online questionnaire to evaluate how adolescent patients with T1D use online resources to understand and manage diabetes. A total of 57 subjects (54% female) completed the survey (response rate = 88%); mean age was 14.4 years (SD = 2.26). Responses to common diabetes scenarios included “Go online,” “Contact provider,” and “Other.” When prompted with an emergent situation, significantly more subjects indicated “Contact provider” (75%) than all other responses (P < .0001); few subjects indicated “Go online” (5%). When prompted with a sensitive situation, significantly more subjects indicated “Go online” (67%) than “Contact provider” (33%) (P = .027). See Figure 1 for scenario results. This questionnaire examined how adolescents with T1D use online resources to understand and manage their diabetes. In addition, Internet access, perceived utility of diabetes resources, and usage of resources were queried, as well as how participants might react to common scenarios that occur in children with T1D. Research focusing on Internet access for online information and support in parents of children with T1D is emerging.1,2 One study of caregivers of children with T1D revealed 96% had access to the Internet, and 64% used the Internet for diabetes resources, with social media being the most common source. The authors concluded that health care providers should assess caregivers’ use of online resources and recommend appropriate resources, not only in clinic visits, but also via web pages and social media.3 Another survey directed at teens (n = 78, aged 13-17 years) with diabetes reported 89% accessed the Internet and 53% used the Internet to look for health information.4 Our
study’s finding that 81% of adolescents use the Internet to help with diabetes management reinforces this usage. Not only should diabetes providers suggest appropriate online resources to parents and caregivers, but these messages should also be directed toward adolescents with T1D. Study limitations include the relatively small number of participants (n = 57) with a wide age range within the broad category of adolescence. In addition, an inherent limitation in this field is the speed at which technology and online resources and availability change in type, format, and content. Despite these limitations, general trends in more use of online resources are likely valid. This study suggests that online resources are often used to supplement diabetes knowledge, support, and management problem solving and discussion of what safe, reliable resources are available should be part of routine diabetes care. Adolescents use the Internet as a resource to improve their diabetes knowledge. For sensitive topics, teens often go online rather than speak with providers. To improve care and foster independent learning, providers should be familiar with technology in order to make appropriate online resource recommendations and engage in conversation about sensitive issues. Using online resources to address sensitive topics in a general manner can foster lines of communication for teens to discuss topics for clarification.
1
Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA Corresponding Author: Allison J. Pollock, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave Box 4108, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Email: [email protected]
1420
Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 10(6)
Figure 1. Diabetes scenarios: What would you do first to find an answer?
Abbreviation
References
T1D, type 1 diabetes.
1. Balkhi AM, Reid AM, McNamara JP, Geffken GR. The diabetes online community: the importance of forum use in parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes. 2014;15(6):408-415. 2. Ayers SL, Kronenfeld JJ. Chronic illness and health-seeking information on the Internet. Health (London). 2007;11(3):327-347. 3. Balkhi AM, Olsen B, Lazaroe L, Silverstein J, Geffken GR. Paging Dr. Google: parents’ report of Internet use for type 1 diabetes management. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(2):e18-e19. 4. Chisolm DJ, Hardin DS, McCoy KS, Johnson LD, McAlearney AS, Gardner W. Health literacy and willingness to use online health information by teens with asthma and diabetes. Telemed J E Health. 2011;17(9):676-682.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Funding for this project was provided by NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant T32 DK077586-06A1.
