Developing a social media-based self-management program for the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration in persons with diabetes: protocol steps

Abstract

Foot ulceration continues to persist as a serious health threat among people with diabetes (PWD) due to multiple factors that include poor adherence to recommended foot self-care activities and limited access to self-management support. Given the ongoing adaptation and use of telehealth to improve patient access to health programs, there is a need to explore whether the rapidly growing social media network can engage PWD in self-management strategies to reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications such as diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). In this paper, we describe the development and implementation of the Diabetic Foot Care Group (DFCG), a social media-based self-management support intervention for PWD to prevent DFU. Using a co-design approach, we actively engaged both healthcare professionals (HCP) and PWD in the development and implementation activities. The DFCG comprises of four components – patient education, peer support, social interaction and active engagement. The DFCG was implemented through a private Facebook group platform. The posts’ content was patient-centred and structured to enhance self-care confidence and optimise care outcomes among PWD. In summary, social media platforms are feasible alternatives that HCP could utilise to provide continuous self-management education and support (SMES) for PWD to prevent DFU proactively.