Experiences of adults with Type1 Diabetes checking their blood glucose
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lived experiences of adults with Type 1 Diabetes monitoring their blood glucose by finger pricking. A qualitative study.
IRAS ID
257736
Contact name
Anna P Masamba
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 25 days
Research summary
Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is the process of checking one’s blood glucose levels, often by finger-prick and people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) are advised to do this at least four times a day. However, research has shown that SMBG frequency is low in people with T1D even here in the UK despite having glucose meters and testing strips available on the NHS for free.
Technological advances such as Continuous Glucose Monitoring and flash glucose monitors like the Freestyle Libre are now available and greatly reduce the need to monitor blood glucose by finger-prick. However, these devices are expensive to buy and getting them free on the NHS is difficult as there are strict criteria to meet for funding. For this reason, most people with T1D still have to SMBG by finger-prick.
Qualitative research can help to explore and explain why this intervention is or is not effective from a person-centred view, and address questions relating to the usability, meaningfulness, feasibility and appropriateness of the intervention. However, a comprehensive literature review revealed both a scarcity of qualitative research focusing on adults with T1D as well as a scarcity of UK-based research on this topic.
The main aim of this study is to explore and understand the lived experiences of adults with T1D monitoring their blood glucose by finger-prick. This will provide valuable information about the best way healthcare professionals can support this group of patients and help to inform future research on this topic.
A qualitative, phenomenological study is proposed. It will involve conducting in-depth face-to-face interviews with 10-12 people with T1D who SMBG by finger-prick. Each interview will last approximately one hour. The interviews will be conducted at the local hospital or at the participant’s home.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0131
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion