The psychosocial needs of carers of people with type 2 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The lived experience and psychosocial needs of carers of people with type 2 diabetes
IRAS ID
267143
Contact name
Anne Ruth Turner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Open University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Type 2 diabetes has major implications for people affected in terms of physical, psychological and social well being. The growing global prevalence of type 2 diabetes has created concern about the financial sustainability of health services. In response the World Health Organisation has developed the Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework that reorganises health systems around long-term conditions. This framework focuses healthcare on becoming more person-centred by placing those affected at the centre of their care. Family members and carers are recognised for their instrumental and emotional support in delivering person-centred care. However informal carers (that is unpaid) have their own needs in terms of health and wellbeing as well as reduced opportunities for employment and financial security. Furthermore evidence from the Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs Study (2013) identified high levels of diabetes distress, anxiety and depression in family members of people with type 2 diabetes. The lived experience and psychosocial needs of carers of people with type 2 diabetes has been relatively under-researched, therefore making the basis of my research. By using focus groups and semi-structured questionnaires I intend to explore the lived experience of these carers and hence understand more about their psychosocial needs. The study will be conducted over a period of 12 months planning to start in January 2020. Focus groups will be held at a local conference centre in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. One to one interviews will be conducted at the most comfortable venue, most likely participants' homes. Each focus group and one to one interviews is expected to take approximately 60 - 90 minutes. The funding body is the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0697
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion