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Internet CommunitiesDo They Improve Coping With Diabetes?From Harvard Medical School and the Behavioral and Mental Health Unit, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, Massachusetts. Correspondence to John F. Zrebiec, MSW, CDE, Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215 (john.zrebiec{at}joslin.harvard.edu). The purpose of this study was to establish and evaluate a Web-based educational and emotional resource for patients with diabetes and their family members. Activity and characteristics of 331 953 user visits were tracked over 74 months, including a survey of user satisfaction. A 2004 survey showed that users were from 37 different countries, with most from the United States (87%) and Canada (4%). The average length of use was 16:44 minutes. Respondents (n = 791) to the satisfaction survey were 71% female, 46% were insulin users, 84% were aged >30 years, 34% had diabetes >10 years, and 39% visited more than 3 times. A total of 74% of all respondents rated participation in the discussion board as having a positive effect on coping with diabetes, and 71% rated participation as helping them to feel more hopeful. A professionally moderated Internet discussion group appears to be a useful strategy for engaging patients with diabetes and increasing perceived ability to cope with diabetes.
The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 31, No. 6,
825-836 (2005) This article has been cited by other articles:
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