Healthcare Consultations for People with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: Managing Cyber-Victimisation Impact and Training Needs

Abstract

Background: Cyber-victimisation is a growing public health challenge, particularly for people with long-term conditions and disabilities. These individuals face complex challenges in managing health, compounded by experiences of discrimination and insufficient access to appropriate support. Aim: This study examines healthcare professionals’ encounters with patients who have long-term conditions or disabilities and reported cyber-victimisation. It focuses on the scope of these experiences in healthcare, impact on patients, healthcare professionals’ awareness, and perceived training needs. Method: A mixed-methods survey was conducted with UK-based healthcare professionals, recruited through the Modality Super GP partnership, social media, and contacting relevant organisations. Results: The participant sample comprised 118 healthcare professionals, with a mean of 20.72 years of professional experience (SD = 13.72). Among them, 33.90% encountered patients affected by cyber-victimisation, and of these, 82.50% indicated that such experiences had a detrimental impact on their patients’ health. Reported impacts were on mental health, social relationships, lifestyle, physical complications, missing routine appointments, changes to medications, and lab tests. Qualitative themes included mental health consequences, worsening of chronic conditions, increased vulnerability due to certain conditions, trust and stigma, and varied professional awareness. Among those asked about training (n = 77), 58.44% supported research-informed programmes, with preferred formats being interactive media, workshops, and printed materials. Conclusion: Findings confirm that cyber-victimisation of this group is prevalent in healthcare, yet support and awareness remain limited. Training is needed to equip professionals to assist affected patients. Future research should explore interdisciplinary strategies to strengthen healthcare responses and embed cyber-victimisation awareness into public health policy.