One in three seeking internet advice over medical help

As part of Diabetes Week 2018, new research has revealed that one in three people would seek advice online first over talking to a GP about a health concern.

Carried out by YouGov for Diabetes UK, the poll of more than 2,000 adults revealed that less than 23 per cent of participants said they would feel comfortable speaking to an employer about health concerns and only 65 per cent reported feeling comfortable talking to friends or loved ones about their own health. However, 75 per cent said they'd feel comfortable talking about a friend or loved one’s health condition.

Encouraging people to have honest, open conversations about their condition with healthcare professionals, Diabetes UK has produced a list of top tips to encourage people with diabetes to have conversations they may have been avoiding with their healthcare professional team.

Dan Howarth, head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “Talking about diabetes can be hard. But for someone living with the condition, or caring for someone who does, it can mean getting the right treatment, ensuring your rights are protected at work or making sure your child receives the best care at school. That’s why being able to talk about diabetes, and having people to talk to is so important."

“This Diabetes Week we want to help people live better with diabetes, by giving them tools and tips to start tricky conversations and get the support they really need. Finding information online about diabetes can be tricky, too, and risky if you don’t know where to start. We’d recommend using the Diabetes UK website, or our helpline, if you want to be signposted to expert advice about living with or managing any aspect of diabetes.”