Project summary
Self-management programmes can empower people with type 2 diabetes to manage their condition and improve their health. But current programmes aren’t suited to the unique needs of younger people living with type 2 diabetes. Dr Michelle Hadjiconstantinou is testing a new digital self-management programme designed for and with this group and working out how it could be slotted into NHS care. This could ensure younger people get the tailored support they need to live well with the condition.
Background to research
The numbers of people living with type 2 diabetes under the age of 40 is rapidly increasing. When type 2 develops at a younger age it can be more aggressive and harmful. Young people are more at risk of complications, like heart attacks or kidney disease, and have a shorter life expectancy than people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes later in life.
Diabetes education and support programmes aim to give people the skills and confidence to self-manage their type 2 diabetes and can be transformative. But there aren’t any programmes adapted to suit the needs of younger people. So, this group are missing out on the benefits.
Dr Michelle Hadjiconstantinou has developed a digital self-management programme for people with type 2 diabetes, and shown it helps to improve their health. Now she wants to test an adapted version of this programme that has been designed specifically for adults living with type 2 diabetes under the age of 40.
Research aims
Dr Hadjiconstantinou will test out her tailored digital programme in the NHS. She’ll see how many young adults decide to use the programme, how often, and which parts they find most useful. She’ll also measure if it helps them improve their blood sugar levels and wellbeing.
Then Dr Hadjiconstantinou will interview younger people with type 2 who have and haven’t used the programme and NHS decision makers to gather their views on how it could be improved and fully rolled out in the NHS.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
Younger people with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing diabetes-related harmful complications and death. But appropriate and tailored support to help them self-manage their condition is missing.
By testing a new digital programme designed to support young adults, Dr Hadjiconstantinou’s research could fill this gap and lay the foundation for the programme to be incorporated into NHS care. This could help younger people to lead happier, healthier lives and reduce their risk of dangerous future complications.
