Summary
T1resources.uk aims to improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes by introducing them to the wide range of resources and support that are available online. It’s intended as a set of signposts, a useful starting point for anyone wanting to begin to explore online information and social media to help them manage type 1 diabetes. Designed for people who are newly-diagnosed, its aim is to guide people toward their own unique selection of resources, channels and communities from the bewildering array available.
Innovation
T1resources.uk is unique. It is the only website created in partnership with PWDs and HCPs, solely for people with type 1 diabetes. It has been created by a team of individuals working voluntarily across geographical and professional boundaries who are specialists in the field. It uses the expertise of the multidisciplinary team as well as expert patients and carers across the United Kingdom. The broad mix of team members range from a Consultant Diabetologist in Northern Ireland, to a Psychologist in London, from an adult with type 1 diabetes and first-hand experience of the NICE guideline committee to a parent at the cutting edge of digital diabetes care. This wealth of expertise means that the resources recommended are top quality, the best of the internet, and have been extensively tried and tested by the review team prior to recommendation. Currently available digital information is either owned by specific groups, with governance issues hindering people from sharing them more widely or nervousness about rapidly changing content. The autonomy of T1resources.uk means that it can bring together resources created by multiple different organisations under one website. The content is therefore peer-led and mediated by the T1resources.uk team. In addition, this governance structure means that the website can recommend resources that candidly discuss thorny subjects, such as managing glucose control while taking drugs at a festival.
Results
T1resources.uk launched in mid-September 2016. In the first week 1,000 people visited the site and we have continued to grow with 6,500 users in the first six months. Our users have viewed over 38,000 pages, averaging 3.3 pages per visit and spending 2.50 minutes on the site before moving on to a recommended resource. Creation’s ‘Pinpoint’ HCP Social Media Study 2015-2016 showed T1resources.uk was one of the five most shared diabetes campaigns/information resources by UK HCPs with a share of 18%. 2015 audit data indicates that younger generations and men need additional support and are more likely to use digital solutions. Our user data shows we can reach this audience; 54% male users and 60% <35 years old. This project has been implemented at minimal cost, harnessing social capital and preexisting material. The initial start-up costs were met by an NIHR project grant and reviewer and editorial team involvement is on a voluntary basis.
Dissemination and Sustainability
This digital project is free to access and shows far global reach with it currently being accessed worldwide, and over 85% of users from the UK ranging from Blackburn to Portsmouth, Bristol to Cambridge. Further spread of T1resources.uk relies on HCP marketing. We are raising awareness of the site by working with professional bodies, publishing reports in professional journals and newsletters as well as sending flyers and posters to diabetes clinics. The social media strategy is increasing awareness in the diabetes community with 56,000 Twitter impressions, averaging 308 per day, and reaching over 50,000 people in the first 10 days on joining Facebook. Additionally, we have teamed up with JDRF to include a flyer for T1resources.uk in its ‘newly diagnosed sacks’ that it sends out. T1resources.uk is signposted, as a place for additional information, on the three main diabetes charities’ websites. The website is linked with national diabetes online education offerings, such as Bertieonline and the DAFNE plus programme. Content is available to other smaller not-for-profit companies such as DigiBete and Mumoactive. T1resources.uk features in at least three of the successful NHS England structured education transformation bids.
Method
In January 2016, a team of HCPs and PWDs began co-creating T1resources.uk. An editorial team drew together experts in type 1 diabetes care, digital solutions and social media. The editorial team identified over 100 online resources and began to catalogue them in a shared database, agreeing on a taxonomy with which to categorise the diverse content. A robust review process was created, with each resource requiring approval by both an HCP and PWD before being accepted. By summer 2016 the review team and process was in place. During website development, consideration was given to usability both on desktop and handheld devices and accessibility compliance for people with impaired vision. Careful thought was given to the distribution of content and searchability, along with information for people new to social media. The design was optimised for peer interaction, including the ability to rate and review resources, with highly rated resources appearing more prominently on the website. A governance structure was created, which considered website moderation, dealing with problematic resources or those from different healthcare economies, as well as the complaints process.
