Helping diabetes patients help themselves through online emotional support
The emotional toll of diabetes can make it hard for patients to manage the challenges of the disease, and the health consequences of poorly managed diabetes are significant.
Using funding provided by the NHMRC, Black Dog Institute, UNSW Australia and The University of Melbourne have joined forces to research whether an online self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program can provide emotional support to people with type 2 diabetes and help them lead happier and healthier lives.
The research team are inviting general practice clinics in NSW and VIC to collaborate with them on the project, called ‘SpringboarD’. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the first study of its kind in Australia.
The project has been designed to minimise interruption to daily practice activity, and practices will be reimbursed for administrative tasks ($50 per enrolled participant). Eligible practices will have a register of type 2 diabetes patients, a practice nurse (or diabetes nurse) who is involved in patients’ review appointments, and be willing to promote the study to type 2 diabetes patients.
GPs play a central role in diabetes management, yet chances to discuss emotional issues in depth within a consultation are often scarce, and many patients are unwilling to be referred for face-to-face care. An online tool may assist GPs to help type 2 diabetes patients take better care of themselves.
For more information or to register your interest, contact Dr Janine Clarke at SpringboarD@unsw.edu.au
Gerhard is a full professor of Clinical Psychology at Linköping University, Sweden since 2003, an
d affiliated researcher at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Professor Andersson is an internationally recognized researcher in the field of CBT delivered through information and communication technology, as well as the author of the book “The Internet and CBT: a clinical guide”.
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