An online self-management intervention for young adults with type 1 diabetes: guided self-determination program

Aim: This study aimed to engage young adults with type 1 diabetes who have low motivation and inadequate blood glucose control in a specifically tailored Guided Self-Determination online program, and to explore the perspectives of the young adults and their diabetes educators regarding the utility of the Guided Self-Determination program on an online platform. Methods: An exploratory descriptive design with four stages involving: (1) developing the Guided Self-Determination program online; (2) training diabetes educators to use the Guided Self-Determination program in an online format; (3) implementing and pilot testing the Guided Self-Determination program; and (4) evaluating the online version. Results: Eight diabetes educators and eleven young adults with type 1 diabetes participated in the study. Both groups of participants found the Guided Self-Determination program online promoted reflections that created solutions, and facilitated an expedient client journey based on the young adults’ needs/goals which in turn, changed the way they collaborated with each other. Website design issues related to an inability to save material and not being mobile friendly, although this did not impact participation or outcomes. Conclusions: The online Guided Self-Determination format is a suitable, convenient and advantageous way to communicate and engage with young adults with type 1 diabetes. All participants found the online communication expedient, flexible and particularly suitable for the young adults who had lost motivation. The Guided Self-Determination program online is worth further technological development to improve the life skills and self-management of young adults with type 1 diabetes.