Primary Research

Survey

I conducted a survey where I asked some questions that would give me a clear understanding on what people like when it comes to the sort of website I am going to be building.

The first question I asked was, 'Where do you usually go for medical information' I got a lot of responses for this and it was very clear on what people wanted the most. Websites got over 3/4 of the votes over book, leaflets and other (Other = a doctor or person), this means that I will still stick with my initial idea of making a website.

I asked a question based on the actual layout and design of the website, I asked whether or not people like simple designs or more complicated extravagant ones. Once again the question had a very obvious winning answer, most people seemed to prefer simple website layouts, meaning that I will have to make sure that my website is easy to operate and easy to use for the audience.

The next question I ask was, 'What information do you find more useful' 'Information that doctors provide' or 'Information from people who have been through it first hand'. These two were quite close with information from doctors receiving only 4 more votes than the other. I think for my websites content I am going to include more pages based on doctors information than from personal information. I think covering a bit on both will be good just so I can appease both audiences.

My last question asked whether or not people like their medical information more simplified or whether they like a more detail explanation. The results are very shocking, it was a complete 50/50 split between both of the answers. This will mean that when I make my website I will probably include the more detailed part of information above a shortened more simplified version allowing the audience to choose what sort of information they will want to see. When people write posts on Reddit that are quite long they usually include a part below that says 'tr;dl' meaning too rambley; don't listen, obviously I won't use 'tr;dl' because it won't relate to what is being said but I will use something very similar that the audience will see and instantly recognize what it means.  

Audience

My project is focused on diabetes, especially type 1. My website is going to be focused on people that have JUST BEEN diagnosed with type 1 and the struggles and hurdles they are going to face. The websites going to include information on what to expect and how to get use to the daily routine. I will also inform them on what to expect later in life, this includes some of the new types of medication they can get hold of and, some of the health warnings.

I website is going to work the same way as a website called, 'First time in Prison' its a place people can go to, to find out information from people who have experienced it first hand. Due to this people are more likely to be more fond of this information because it will be more reliable and something that they might already be able to relate too.

Research

How easy was it to get into the routine of diabetes management?

First of all, I was only 9 years old. So I relied heavily on my parents for support with blood testing, insulin injection ect. It was a huge shock more so for my family as I thought it was quite exciting! I didn't realize what a massive life changing impact it would have on the rest of my life. 

In the first instance I was on two injections a day, of which I used syringes with an inch long needle. I had to draw up the insulin from a vial and mix the long acting the short acting together and then had to flick out bubbles. In addition to this I had to count the carbs in everything I ate (10 gram of carbs was 1 exchange) I was allow 17 exchanges a day and I couldn't eat anything else! I took responsibility for injecting myself from the first day in hospital when I was diagnosed. 

Over the years I have sought support and knowledge from my diabetic specialist to manage my diabetes, However even though this information has been valuable it is really down to the individual to work out how things effect them and what to do to compensate. I am still fighting a daily battle of managing my type 1 diabetes.


Throughout my teenage years I struggled immensely. I would eat what I wanted and only took minimal insulin. Many diabetics go through a stage of denial and this completely normal, you feel angry and lonely and just want to regain control of your life. I made myself quite ill but knew that I was doing wrong but couldn't stop it. I sought help from my consultant and he put me in touch with a philologist. Initially this helped but didn't really get to the core of the problem. I was in this state of denial for about 10 years and have now slowly but surly pulled myself out of it. I have recently gone onto pump therapy and this has given me a lot of freedom. The pump management is much more complex than injecting but this is worth it because it acts more like my pancreas would, and there for gives me better control of my blood sugars which in tern will improve my life expectancy and my diabetic complications later in life ( I.e. retinopathy, kidney failure, amputations ect.).

As I have grown older my attitude towards diabetes has changed, at first it was new and exciting then it became and enormous pain in the bum. Now it's part of me and something I need to work with to maintain happiness and quality of life. 

I believe that the ultimate key to great diabetes management is to ensure good psychological and emotional well being towards the illness. Anyone can learn the physicalities of diabetes management but if the person has not accepted ownership then really all of the blood testing insulin injections and carb counting ect. mean nothing at all. Therefore more psychological /emotional support needs to be provided through out the entirety of a diabetics lifetime.

- Jessica Perfect