Health and social correlates of Internet use for diabetes information: findings from Australia’s Living with Diabetes Study
Chi-Wai Lui A B , Joseph R. Coll A , Maria Donald A , Jo Dower A and Frances M. Boyle A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston Road, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: c.lui@sph.uq.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 21(3) 327-333 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14021
Submitted: 3 February 2014 Accepted: 8 June 2014 Published: 10 July 2014
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between online information seeking and a broad range of health and social characteristics among a large sample of Australian adults with type 2 diabetes. One in four participants used the Internet for diabetes-related purposes and Internet searching was associated with high patient activation, poor metabolic control, signs of peripheral nerve damage, a recent diagnosis of diabetes and poorer patient-assessed coordination of care. No relationship was found between Internet use and treatment complexity and the presence of comorbid conditions. The findings underline the importance of providing better online health resources and support to diabetes patients, and of targeting potential intervention points where services and information may be particularly beneficial.
Additional keywords: disease management, information technology, patient activation.
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