Diabetic patients’ behavior observation on social media using active surveillance

Abstract

Diabetes is a complex disease that can only be controlled and prevented by a healthy lifestyle. We have selected the investigation of diabetes for this research as a substantially large fragment of our society is suffering from diabetes. It has been observed that diabetic patients are more expressive on social media as compared to real-life interactions. Furthermore, online communities are playing a significant role in providing social support and knowledge to patients through their experiences. Diabetes has only been monitored through wearable (sensor-based) and glucose meters. However, the problem arises when the patients become reluctant about giving the required information themselves. For this purpose, a taxonomic system based on business process models has been developed which uses the textual data from the patients in which they express their emotions regarding Diabetes. Social media support groups related to Diabetes are used to gather data. Diabetic patients tend to share their emotions and feelings with people who are face a similar situation. However, there is no established measure to calculate the behavioral impact of diabetes on diabetic patients. In our research, we have studied how diabetic patients collaborate with each other to help others through social media and the impact of social communities on diabetic patient’s lifestyles. The results show the extent to which diabetic people follow a healthy lifestyle.