Karolina Linden*, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Carina Sparud-Lundin*, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Annsofie Adolfsson*, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden Agneta Ranerup*, Department of Applied IT, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Marie Berg*, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Track: Research Presentation Topic: Building virtual communities and social networking applications for patients and consumers Presentation Type: Rapid-Fire Presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Mermaid Room: Room 1 - Newgate Date: 2013-09-23 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Last modified: 2013-09-25

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Background:
Women with type 1 diabetes have a demanding life situation during the period of pregnancy and early motherhood. There is a need to develop person-centered models of care for women with type 1 diabetes in relation to pregnancy and early motherhood. People, who share a concern for something, learn together as they regularly interact. For example, people learn from each other as they discuss experiences, treatment and self-management issues in daily life. To empower women during with type 1 diabetes during pregnancy and in early motherhood, a website promoting self-management through a social and learning community has been developed.

Objectives:
To describe the design and content of a specially designed person-centered web support for women with type 1 diabetes during the period of pregnancy through early motherhood. This web-based support aims at improving the women’s self-management of diabetes and overall well-being.

Methods:
The web-based support has been developed through a participatory design involving different stakeholders such as health care professionals, mothers with type 1 diabetes, web designers and researchers. The project is under evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. Women with type 1 diabetes are randomized in early pregnancy to either usual care or web-based support in addition to usual care. All study participants are followed from baseline in early pregnancy to six months after childbirth.

Results:
The developed person-centered web-based support consists of three complementary parts: 1) specific information about pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood in relation to type 1 diabetes; 2) a self-care diary including a device for documenting and evaluating blood glucose levels, insulin doses, food intake, physical activities and overall well-being; and 3) a forum for communication between women with type 1 diabetes in the childbearing period. The support is developed for computer and mobile use.

Conclusions:
This website for self-care, self-learning and peer support is a person-centered and easy accessible service. Taking a person-centered approach means that the pregnant women with diabetes must be treated and supported in ways that allow them to be people rather than objectified as individuals with a chronic illness. The website can complement usual health care organizational arrangements and provides possibilities for documenting health and related issues. This social and learning community may strengthen self-care ability by empowering women with type 1 diabetes during a vulnerable period.