Evaluation of NHS England's Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of NHS England's Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme Pilot
IRAS ID
235750
Contact name
Elizabeth Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Diabetes affects over 6% of the UK population, accounts for over 10% of the NHS budget, and is an NHS priority. Prevention relies on changes to diet, physical activity and weight. Face-to-face diabetes prevention programmes are effective, and are being rolled out across England by NHSE. However, these programmes, although effective, are costly and participation can be difficult for those with busy lifestyles. Hence NHSE are piloting a Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme (DDPP) in 8 areas before deciding whether, and if so, how, to roll out a national DDPP. This study will evaluate the DDPP pilot to determine and understand reasons for: acceptability,uptake and use of the digital diabetes prevention interventions (DDPI); effects of the DDPI; potential impact of the DDPP on health inequalities; and costs, resources and strategies required for effective implementation of a DDPP. NHSE have specified the 8 areas for the DDPP, the 5 DDPI to be implemented, the three cohorts of patients (adults with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH); obese; and overweight); and the primary outcomes (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for those with NDH and weight for all three cohorts). Secondary outcomes are satisfaction, physical activity and patient activation. The evaluation will use mixed methods, with quantitative data on uptake, use, HbA1c, weight, and secondary outcomes, supplemented with qualitative, semi-structured interview data with health care commissioners, managers, clinicians, DDPI providers, implementation team, NHS E and patients. The results will be synthesised and presented to NHSE to inform policy in this area. Both the evaluation and the implementation of the DDPP were put out in a single tender, which was won by RSM, a large consultancy firm with expertise in evaluation and implementation. The evaluation is led by Professor Elizabeth Murray, a GP and Professor of eHealth and Primary Care at UCL, who is acting as an expert advisor to RSM.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0252
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion