Research and Diabetes Awareness through Drama and Film :The RADA Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Research And Diabetes Awareness through Drama and Film (The RADA Study)

  • IRAS ID

    255962

  • Contact name

    Gillian Hood

  • Contact email

    Gillian.Hood@bartshealth.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Queen Mary University of London

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Diabetes is a rapidly developing major health crisis with great costs to both the NHS and individuals who live with the condition and their families. There is much public confusion around understanding diabetes and how it should be effectively managed, with the majority struggling to achieve treatment targets for their diabetes. There is also a lack of awareness around diabetes research despite it being pivotal in development of new and improved diabetes treatments. Therefore a wide-ranging approach is needed to help increase awareness of diabetes amongst the public generally and to promote research.
    Increasingly digital aids are being used to help manage diabetes. For example internet websites, social media etc. One innovative digital aid which has not been used extensively in diabetes and diabetes research, is Drama Film. This includes productions of stories using life situations that represent realistic characters. A creation of a film drama about diabetes could provide a better understanding not only around diabetes, but also the challenges and achievements people face and convey what positive research is going on and how to get involved.
    A small focus group of people with diabetes and health care professionals, was held to discuss ways of raising awareness about diabetes and diabetes research through drama film. Four playwrights were commissioned to write a story synopsis motivated by the discussions. Consistent themes emerged that people thought were important to include in a drama film. The purpose of this research is to establish if statements generated from the focus group are validated by a larger number of people with diabetes. The statements were formulated into a questionnaire, 1500 people will be invited to participate in the questionnaire, score statements,and have opportunity to make their own comments. The results will be used to enhance a potential drama based on real life experiences.

  • REC name

    North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/NE/0056

  • Date of REC Opinion

    5 Feb 2019

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion