Adolescents experiences of diabetes

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A qualitative exploration of adolescents’ experiences of using insulin pumps to manage Type 1 Diabetes

• IRAS ID

  248864

• Contact name

  Julia Lawton

• Contact email

  j.lawton@ed.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Edinburgh

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 4 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Type 1 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases diagnosed in childhood and its incidence in Scotland is increasing. Adolescence is often understood to be a key period during which the transition from parental to individual management of type 1 diabetes takes place . Given that many children and adolescents struggle to meet targets for blood glucose control, the Scottish government has invested funds specifically to increase the availability of diabetes technology for this age group

  This increase in funding has resulted in a significant increase in the number of individuals aged 18 years and under who use an insulin pump, rather than multiple daily injections, to manage their diabetes. However, little is known about how adolescents experience insulin pump therapy, there is currently no research that looks at how adolescents experience insulin pump cessation.

  This study will use in-depth interviews with adolescents aged 14-18 years to:
  (1) explore participants’ experiences of managing type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy,
  (2) identify how participants' experiences are impacted the support they receive from friends, family and HCP, and in different environments and circumstances (eg at school, home, leisure activities, etc)
  (3) explore reasons for stopping using insulin pump therapy and experiences of transitioning back to Multiple Daily Injections

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/YH/0402

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Oct 2018

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion