Empowering young people with type 1 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Empowering young people with type 1 diabetes project.
IRAS ID
180262
Contact name
Dulmini Kariyawasam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
In UK less than 20% of young people with type 1 diabetes achieve satisfactory blood glucose control. Adolescents have unacceptable rates of ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia and other distressing acute events. There is no validated educational programme for this age group and diabetes control in the teenage and adolescent population remains sub-optimal. Successful self-management during adolescence can positively influence diabetes control, and therefore improve long-term health. There is a compelling need for identification of new interventions and treatments aimed at improving the outcome of young people with type 1 diabetes.
We aim to co- develop a programme facilitated by young people (≥ 18 years). A youth worker based in community will help to identify and engage adolescents at risk of poor engagement with healthcare professionals with the education programme. Focus group work will help identify important topics that will be included in the curriculum of the programme. There will be 2 days of interactive learning on these topics.
This will be enhanced by a day of experiential learning, by using simulation.
Simulation is a novel teaching tool increasingly used in medical education and we plan to use this technology to develop a new intervention using simulated subjects (actors) and health care professionals & involve human patient simulator mannequins. We will use techniques to plan clinical scenarios that simulate or mimic practical situations such as managing very high blood sugars and low blood sugars, what to do on sick days, impact of alcohol and eating out on blood sugar control.
The main aim of our study is to develop and analyse the effect of this novel educational package that would be co-developed and co-delivered by young people in improving the knowledge, quliaty of life and problem solving skills of young adults with type 1 diabetes.Summary of Results
The study evaluated the impact of a novel psychoeducation programme (the Youth Empowerment Skills (YES) programme), for young people with Type 1 diabetes. The study collected data on:
pre- and post-course sugar control; programme participation data; and service utilisation. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the experiences of young people on the programme. Twenty-six young people participated in the programme, mean age 18(±1.7) years. Uptake was 34%(n=26) of those approached to participate, with 96%(n=25) programme completion. Post-programme sugar control improved. The qualitative data identified that the programme had positive psychosocial impacts with increased diabetes engagement and activation. It elicited the following active ingredients of the programme: social learning; peer support; and experiential learning. Participants emphasised the importance of the youth worker in engaging with the programme.
Conclusion: The evaluation indicates that the exposure to the YES programme helps young people to identify with and improve self-confidence in managing diabetes in their lives, enhances diabetes engagement and clinical outcomes.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
15/WA/0286
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion