Introduction: The development of the SUPPORT self-guided online educational platform was guided by the behavioral wheel framework and built by healthcare professionals specialized in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and patient-partners. It has 4 learning paths that are based on the mode of insulin delivering and blood glucose monitoring of the patient. The learning modules are divided into 6 groups (e.g., medication, nutrition) and have 3 levels of complexity. Features (e.g., quiz, glossary) are included. This proof-of-concept study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of adults with T1D using the SUPPORT platform after 6 months.
Methods: Adults (≥18 years old) living with T1D for ≥ 1 year, using ≥ 4 insulin injections per day or an insulin pump, and having access to the Internet were recruited from the BETTER registry in Quebec. People with ongoing pregnancy or illness limiting diabetes care were excluded. Usage data were collected with Google Analytics. A face-validated 10-item questionnaire was sent after 6 months of access to SUPPORT to evaluate participants’ satisfaction and feedback (e.g., top 3 preferred features).
Results: A total of 61 participants (38% men; age 50.3±13.3 years; T1D duration 24.3±14.6 years; mean viewing time per connected session: 12min56sec) completed the 6-month questionnaire. The mean satisfaction score was 39.6±7.8 (out of 49; higher score for a greater satisfaction). The most preferred features were access to downloadable PDF summaries, quizzes, and blogs on scientific updates. Providing certificates, virtual points, and glossary were the least appreciated. More than half reported being more confident to prevent (53%) and manage (53%) hypoglycemia.
Conclusion: The SUPPORT platform received a high level of satisfaction. Although further validation is needed, this platform may be a useful resource for widely and timely diabetes education and for reducing the hypoglycemia burden faced by patients.
L. Xie: None. C. Leroux: None. A. Roy-fleming: None. R. Rabasa-lhoret: Advisory Panel; Self; Bayer Inc., Covance Inc., Insulet Corporation, Pfizer Inc., Other Relationship; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, HLS Therapeutics Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medtronic, Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk, Sanofi-Aventis, Research Support; Self; Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Diabetes Canada, JDRF, National Institutes of Health, Prometic, Société Francophone du Diabète, Speaker’s Bureau; Self; CMS Canadian Medical&Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group, CPD Network. A. Brazeau: None.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (JT1-157204); JDRF (4-SRA-2018-651-Q-R)