Exploring why young people with Type 1 diabetes decline structured education with a view to overcoming barriers. Issue 8 (16th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coates, V. E.; Horigan, G.; Davies, M.; Davies, M. T.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 34:Issue 8(2017)
• Page Start: 1092
• Page End: 1099
• Publication Date: 2017-05-16
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.13368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To identify factors that influence lack of engagement of young adults with Type 1 diabetes (aged 13–21 years) with structured diabetes education (SDE) to inform and broaden the reach of future SDE. Methods: A quantitative, cross‐sectional survey was undertaken of 227 young people with Type 1 diabetes drawn from 11 health trusts across Northern Ireland and England, deemed to be representative of the wider population. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring non‐attendance, along with the Diabetes Care Profile, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Short Form), the Diabetes Knowledge Test and the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire. Demographic, health and diabetes‐specific variables including HbA1c were also collected. Results: The five most commonly cited reasons for non‐attendance were 'Had other things to do' (68.3%), 'No time' (62.2%), 'Could not get time off school/college or work' (60.8%), 'Learnt about diabetes from other sources' (55.5%) and 'Feel able to cope on own' (52.9%). Conclusions: Greater emphasis is required on communication with young people about the benefits of SDE. In addition, efforts need to be directed to making diabetes education more accessible without losing the quality of structured programmes. What's new?: This paper, for the first time, sheds light on the reasons why a substantial proportion of young adults with Type 1 diabetes decline structured diabetes education (SDE). Over one third of this sample saw no point in attending SDE, indicating that potential benefits to be gained in terms of glycaemic control and quality of life had not resonated with them. The need to communicate the gains to be made through SDE has not been recognized sufficiently. The need to market SDE as a valuable product is emphasized. There are barriers to attending SDE that can be overcome and will lead to increased uptake.