JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Virtual Patient Network (T1DM-VPN) is a private Facebook group for youth with type 1 diabetes in Canada intended to facilitate peer-to-peer support. It was built on the finding that stigma is prevalent among youth with T1DM and impedes self-management.

Objective:

We aim: 1) to map interactions amongst T1DM-VPN members, 2) to determine how five categories of social support have manifested in the group, and 3) to ascertain which factors – including being a designated peer leader – may be associated with network centrality.

Methods:

This analysis has three phases. The first will apply directed content analysis to text data. The second will map network structure and engagement among members by applying an epidemiological lens to social network analysis. The third phase will involve construction of regression models with data from the first two phases.

Results:

Funding for T1DM-VPN was obtained in December 2016. Data is to be collected in March 2020, pending Research Ethics Board review. As of February 4, 2020, T1DM-VPN has 196 patient members.

Conclusions:

This will be the first analysis of a health-related patient Facebook group that applies epidemiological methods to SNA, including identification of stable timeframes in the group’s natural history, and consideration of exposure time and period effect. It uses a novel measure of degree centrality that incorporates both breadth and depth of interactions. We apply directed content analysis with an existing social support framework. The results of this study will allow for an understanding of how a virtual patient network evolves over time, and the issues of importance to youth with T1DM. This work is intended to serve as a foundation for future action to help youth improve their experience of living with diabetes.