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A programme of research into web-based self-management for people with type 2 diabetes has informed an online NHS service offered to people with the disease. The research was led by SPCR Academic Lead at UCL's eHealth Unit, Professor Elizabeth Murray, with funding from the NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Health.

The online service will mean people with type 2 diabetes have evidence-based information and support available at the touch of a button, via an online portal, giving them convenient and quick help to deal with the physical and mental challenges of diabetes.

Dr Jamie Ross, SPCR funded post-doctoral fellow was a Research Associate on the project and responsible for developing the content of the programme. She was doing her PhD at the time which explored the implementation of the programme within routine NHS services.

In addition, Jamie has research funds from the School to better understand how conversations around self-management take places, how GPs talk about self-management and education, and how patients respond to these conversations.

Elizabeth Murray said: “We are delighted that the proven benefits of this programme for people with type 2 diabetes can be made available to everyone in England.  It is great to see the advantages of online interventions (scalability and cost-effectiveness) being realised in the NHS.”

The programme of work is informed by earlier findings from School funded research. During 2016, a pilot study to determine the useability and effectiveness of an online structured education programme with email facilitation, was conducted. Elizabeth Murray also received funds to hold a number of small group sessions and interviews to explore the preferences of patients and clinicians on the digital diabetes prevention programme. 

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