Author	K. Pal
Author	E. Murray
Author	S. Michie
Abstract	Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing and estimates suggest that by 2030 nearly 1 in 10 adults worldwide will be living with this condition. 10% of the NHS budget is spent on treating diabetes and related complications like heart attacks, strokes and blindness. Improving self-management in people living with type 2 diabetes is crucial in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. Uptake of group-based self-management training is low and there is an urgent need for evidence based and effective alternatives. Computer-based interventions have the potential to provide cost-effective self-management training and improve outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes. The eHealth Unit was awarded a 5 year NIHR Programme grant for Applied Research to develop, evaluate and implement an online self-management intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes. This thesis describes my contribution towards developing the intervention. Aims/objectives: To describe the development of an online self-management intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The intervention development process was modelled on the MRC guidelines for developing complex interventions. This started with a systematic review of the literature on computer-based self-management interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes. Suitable theories to underpin the intervention were identified and used to construct a logic model to describe the potential mode of action. Qualitative work with people living with type 2 diabetes and health professionals was used to explore patient and professional defined wants and needs from such interventions. This data was then synthesized to inform the development of a theory-based online intervention called HeLP-Diabetes, designed to improve self-management in people living with type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: The synthesis of previous evidence with new qualitative data from patients and health professionals has helped to create a unique online intervention that will hopefully help bridge current gaps in the delivery of self-management training and improve outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes.