Journal article
A qualitative exploratory study of user experience with a peer-support based, self-management website for people with a cardiovascular condition and diabetes
Digital Health, Vol.11, pp.1-11
2025
PMCID: PMC12174714
PMID: 40534892
Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes are two serious chronic health conditions that impact patients, families, and health services. Patients who experience both conditions can struggle to access relevant programmes to guide and educate them on successful self-management. Peer support has been proven to assist patients in managing these dual conditions, but the experience of using an online platform has not been previously explored.
Aim
To understand the experience of using a theory-based, peer-support, self-management website for people with cardiovascular and diabetes conditions in an Australian regional health service.
Design
An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken. Our study is reported according to COREQ guidelines.
Methods
Data were collected via online, semi-structured interviews approximately one week after participants were asked to engage with the website. Interviews were conducted to focus on the user experience, feasibility and usefulness of accessing the website, and how it helped support development of self-management skills. Interview data were transcribed from audio recordings into text files, thematic analysis was conducted for evolving themes.
Results
Fifteen participants agreed to be interviewed for the study. Findings revealed that participants found the website useful for providing relevant, comprehensive, and reliable online health information to help them manage their comorbidities. Participants appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences with others, and some expressed their interest in becoming peer supporters, to help others who might be trying to manage similar comorbidities.
Conclusion
Users’ experience of the peer-support, web-based programme was positive overall and supported the physical and emotional well-being of the participants, who were trying to manage two complex chronic health conditions. Considerations for further development are reported on.
Details
- Title
- A qualitative exploratory study of user experience with a peer-support based, self-management website for people with a cardiovascular condition and diabetes
- Authors
- Chiung-Jung (Jo) Wu (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingRohan S Poulter - Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health ServiceJohn Atherton - The University of QueenslandRichard J MacIsaac - The University of MelbourneYan Leung - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesPatrick C K Hung - Ontario Tech University (Canada, Oshawa) - OTUMary-Anne Ramis - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nursing
- Publication details
- Digital Health, Vol.11, pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Sage Publications Ltd.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1177/20552076251350927
- ISSN
- 2055-2076
- PMID
- 40534892; PMC12174714
- Copyright note
- © The Author(s) 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
- Data Availability
- Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed in the current study.
- Grant note
- This project was supported by a start-up grant, from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, awarded to Associate Professor Chiung-Jung Wu.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991136706002621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
2 File views/ downloads
19 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Health Care Sciences & Services
- Health Policy & Services
- Medical Informatics
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs from InCites