Endocrine Abstracts

It is widely recognised that diabetes education allows for improved time in range and glycaemic control, hopefully leading to improved health outcomes and therefore quality of life of those living with Type 1 diabetes. The school of nursing team at University of Ulster led by David Chaney, identified a lack of structured diabetes education for children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes in Northern Ireland. A multi-centred Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was designed which involved 135 adolescents across seven hospital sites in Northern Ireland, targeting 13-19 year olds. Half of the adolescents received a structured diabetes education programme named CHOICE, and the Control group received their usual routine diabetes care. Results from the RCT Coates et al (1), showed with delivery of CHOICE, there was no significant difference in HBA1c despite a more flexible diet at 12 months however there was an improved HBA1c at 24 months (% (mmol/mol) 9.53(81) v 8.99(75). (1) Following this RCT, CHOICE was offered during the period 2009 – 2015, to all young people up to the age of 19 with a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in both the North and South of Ireland. This work was successfully funded via a Cross Border Diabetes Project named Co-Operation and Working Together (CAWT). CHOICE continues to be delivered 7 years on within each of the 5 health care trusts in the North of Ireland by a Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse and a Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Dietitian. CHOICE participation involves 12 hours of interactive learning delivered in groups or as one to one, over four consecutive weeks in 3 hourly sessions. Families are encouraged to complete all 4 weeks of the programme. The presentation will endeavour to provide a more detailed overview of the CHOICE Programme, CHOICE delivery, and results and programme feedback.

Reference

1. Coates et al (2013) Evaluation of the effectiveness of a structured Diabetes Education programme (CHOICE) on Clinical Outcomes for Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: A randomised control Trial. J Diabetes Metab, Vol 4, Iss 6.