Coping with Type 1 diabetes and External Examinations

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Coping with Type 1 diabetes and External Examinations: Understanding the challenges young people face

• IRAS ID

  289734

• Contact name

  Juliana Chizo Agwu

• Contact email

  chizo.agwu@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Young people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) must monitor their glucose levels regularly, estimate the amount of carbohydrate in any food they wish to eat, administer insulin medication and also adjust their insulin dosages. These self-management activities allow them to achieve good diabetes control and avoid swings of high or low blood glucose levels. These self-management activities are challenged when preparing for and taking academic examinations. Exams can be stressful, however, little is known about how these stresses may be increased for those managing T1DM examination periods.

  There are laws and recommendations for educators to ensure that those with T1DM are not disadvantaged during examinations. However, it is not known if these recommendations are followed, and whether discriminatory practices against those with T1DM are taking place within Schools and Colleges during examination periods.

  We are keen to understand how young people with T1DM cope with the stress of exams, and the stress managing T1DM, and whether preparing and taking exams impacts on their day-to-day glucose control and also if diabetes impacts on the exams.

  Through this research, we aim to hear the voices of young people with T1DM and understand the challenges they face. The research project aims to:
  • Explore the difficulties encountered during the period leading up to and during examinations for young people with T1DM
  • Identify whether suitable arrangements are made by Schools and Colleges to enable young people with T1DM to manage their condition during examination periods
  • Explore the effects of exam preparation stress on blood sugar control
  • Investigate any perceived effects of T1DM on examination outcome (including perceived disadvantage and discrimination)
  Participants will be asked to take part in two (1:1 or focus group ) telephone or video interviews (before and after major exams). They will also be asked to volunteer to be trained to help code a small sample of transcripts

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/YH/0266

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Feb 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion