Communication and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative investigation into the role of communication with health care professionals in promoting psychological well-being in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
178540
Contact name
James Oliver
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 24 days
Research summary
The current study is looking at the role of communication with healthcare professionals in promoting psychological well-being in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Participants will be interviewed about their experiences and views regarding communication with healthcare professionals involved in their diabetes care and its role in participants psychological well-being. All participants will have been referred to the clinical psychologist within the South Manchester Paediatric Diabetes team at some point during their care.
The study will focus on adolescence as it can be a time of adjustment for many young people, which can present unique challenges to diabetes management. It is well documented that during adolescence diabetes treatment adherence can become variable (Hoffman, 2002; Greening, Stoppelbein, Konishi, Jordan, & Moll, 2007).
Research in an adult diabetes population has suggested that a type of communication approach called patient-centred communication, can lead to fewer worries and a greater sense of control (Heisle et al., 2003), better self-care behaviours (Atkins, Bingham & Pietle, 2005) and reductions in blood glucose levels over a 12 month period (Williams et al. 1998).
Patient-centred communication specifically looks to build a collaborative partnership between healthcare provider and patient, looking to increase empathy, interpersonal sensitivity and mutual information exchange (Erickson, Gertle & Feldstein, 2005). Research in adolescents with type 1 diabetes is lacking.
Given the lack of qualitative studies exploring the role of communication in adolescence with type 1 diabetes the current research is relevant and needed. It is hoped the findings will add to the research literature and can inform the current communication strategies informing the work of the South Manchester Paediatric Diabetes team.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0564
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion