Sheffield secures £2.7million research award to take diabetes education to the next level
2 March 2016
Researchers from Sheffield are leading an NIHR-funded £2.7m research programme that aims to take diabetes education and support to a new level.
It is hoped the new research will build on the already successful five day DAFNE training and education programme launched in the UK in 2002 which helps people with type 1 diabetes to better manage their condition in line with their lifestyle.
Findings from the initial DAFNE study in 2002, showed that adults with type 1 diabetes could benefit from structured training to self-manage their glucose levels more successfully. The training course has been recommended for all adults with the condition in the UK with more than 30,000 taking part so far. While most people taking part in this training find it useful, some have difficulties keeping on top of the required skills to maintain glucose levels to prevent diabetic complications and being admitted to hospital.
Many people with diabetes struggle with the complicated measurements and calculations of foods and insulin involved in managing type 1 diabetes. DAFNEplus as the new research will be known, aims to give people the support, advice and skills they need to keep managing their glucose levels throughout their lifetime and allow them to tailor it to their lifestyle.
The DAFNEplus research, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme, involving research groups from across the country and led by Professor Simon Heller, Research and Development Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Professor of Clinical Diabetes at the University of Sheffield will see the introduction of a number of programmes, models and improvements. By combining knowledge of how to change people’s behaviours and a structured model of support with new technology (such as smartphones and apps), adult sufferers will be supported and motivated to manage their own conditions as part of their everyday lives.
Professor Heller said: “Many adults with type 1 diabetes find it tough to self-manage their diabetes effectively; this can lead to damage to the eyes, feet and kidneys, hospital admissions and even premature death as a result of poor glucose control.
“We have learnt a lot from our research through the DAFNE programme and the training it has provided has had a positive effect on participants. While it has been successful in delivering a step change in the way diabetes 1 is treated in the UK, it is clear that we need to look at how we can help people sustain the behaviours needed to manage their diabetes successfully on a permanent basis.
“DAFNEplus will take this forward with the aim of developing a lifelong package of support and training. At the core of this package will be the use of technology which will assist in breaking down many of the barriers to managing glucose levels including complex calculations of insulin doses and having to count the carbohydrate content of every meal, with the overall goal of helping people live better in managing their condition themselves.”
Once the research has completed, in around five and a half years’ time, the aim is to provide the full programme as a sustained model of support rather than an initial standalone course. This approach would also be transferrable to other age groups, people with type 2 diabetes and potentially those with other long-term conditions.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Andrew Johnson, Communications Officer, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 0114 226 5033 Email: andrew.johnson@sth.nhs.uk
