Developing an Online Guided Self-Determination Program for Young Adults with Diabetes: Methodological Considerations — ASN Events
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Developing an Online Guided Self-Determination Program for Young Adults with Diabetes: Methodological Considerations (#55)

Bodil Rasmussen 1 , Judy Currey 1 , Bill Haigh 2 , Ian Story 1 , Trisha Dunning 3 , Carolyn Hines 4 , Karen Crawford 4 , Vibeke Zoffman 5
  1. Faculty of Health , Deakin University , Burwood, Victoria
  2. School of Medicine, Monash University, Gippsland, Victoria
  3. Barwon-Health, Geelong, Victoria
  4. Diabetes Victoria, Melbourne , Victoria
  5. The Juliane Marie Centre Rigshospital , Copenhagen University , Copenhagen, Denmark

Aims and Rationale
The aim of this paper is to report the methodological considerations of developing and testing the feasibility of guided self-determination (GSD) program in an online environment. GSD online will enable more individuals with type 1 diabetes to access this evidence-based program to improve their glycaemic control and lifestyle.
For young adults with type 1 diabetes (YAWD) between ages of 18 to 35, it can be difficult to maintain glycaemic control due to competing lifestyle, work or study-related commitments. Current educational interventions to achieve glycaemic control are not successful in those who have lost motivation for self-management. The novel strategy of the GSD has shown to improve the life skills of young adults with diabetes to prevent complications and adverse events1. Life skills are those personal, social, cognitive and physical skills that enable people to control and direct their lives2. GSD is designed to guide both YAWD with persistent poor glycaemic control and professionals managing YAWD through mutual reflection drawing on a number of semi-structured reflection sheets. GSD can assist individuals to develop their capacity to live with, and produce, change in their environment and glycaemic control.
Methods
The methodological considerations of converting GSD from a paper-based, one-on-one in-person program to one in which diabetes educators can deliver to remote clients over any electronic device involved three stages. The first was to recruit a skilled web designer with an educational and health background to develop the online interface using readily available, cheap and stable software. Second, the GSD program was translated from Danish to English. Third, we converted the hard copy in-person GSD program to one online that fully enables the client to share reflections in text and graphics synchronously with the diabetes educator.
Potential uses of this research
GSD online is readily accessible, visually appealing and functions fully as the in-person program. This site enables access to an evidence-based program to clients broadly for improved glycaemic control and life style.

  1. Zoffmann, V. & Lauritzen, T. 2006. Guided self-determination improves life skills with Type 1 diabetes and A1C in randomized controlled trial. Patient Education and Counseling, 64, 78-86. 2. Zoffmann, V. & Kirkevold, M. 2012. Realizing empowerment in difficult diabetes care: a guided self-determination intervention. Qualitative Health Research, 22, 103-18