title: Preliminary test of an Internet-based diabetes self-management tool.
abstract: Self-care is a way of helping the health service to manage the growth in long-term chronic conditions. We developed an Internet-based self-management tool for diabetes following detailed consultations with patients. The Virtual Clinic allows a patient to communicate with their health professionals, find information about their condition and share support and advice with others through peer-to-peer discussions. We conducted a test of the Virtual Clinic with five patients prior to the start of a six-month pilot study to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness. The test session involved an interactive computer-based element followed by a focus group to gather feedback. All five patients were positive about the Virtual Clinic. A user-centred approach to developing an Internet intervention is important to ensure that it will meet patients' needs and that they will be enthusiastic about using it.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. na144@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*