Health and social correlates of Internet use for diabetes information: findings from Australia's Living with Diabetes Study

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 assoc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Australian journal of primary health Vol. 21; no. 3; p. 327
Main Authors:	Lui, Chi-Wai, Col, Joseph R, Donald, Maria, Dower, Jo, Boyle, Frances M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Australia 2015
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Age Factors Aged Australia - epidemiology Consumer Health Information Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology Diabetic Neuropathies - epidemiology Educational Status Female Humans Income Information Seeking Behavior Internet Longitudinal Studies Male Middle Aged Multivariate Analysis Young Adult Australia
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Summary:	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.
ISSN:	1448-7527
DOI:	10.1071/PY14021