Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when the body stops producing a hormone called insulin. Individuals with diabetes must self-inject insulin several times a day for their entire life and monitor its effects through frequent (and painful) self-monitoring of blood sugar levels to manage this challenging condition. Even in motivated patients it can be difficult to avoid day-to-day fluctuations in blood sugar levels resulting in symptomatic hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) or hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars). Worry about complications of diabetes and the fear of hypoglycaemia are significant burdens for many people living with the disease.
Routine and active patient involvement in self-management is important for good control of diabetes. This is particular true of for young adults with type 1 diabetes who have busy social, work, family and student lives. The most important things in their lives is often fitting-in, going-out, sports, relationship, earning money, thinking about their careers and their future and diabetes is often not a priority. In fact, many young people with type 1 diabetes do not want it and want to forget they have it. This frequently leads to poor outcomes and poor engagement with their diabetes care service. Reasons may include poor knowledge and self-management skills, poor clinic attendance, poor adherence with treatment recommendations and not staying safe. Safety in diabetes is key and often young people with type 1 diabetes do not know how to manage drinking alcohol, being physical active or managing their diabetes when they are sick safely.
The Diabetes Team in Galway led by Dr Sean Dinneen (Consultant Endocrinologist) wants to find a way to help young adults manage their diabetes more effectively. To do this, the research team wants to create young adult panel which will voice their opinion as young people living with type 1 diabetes and work together with the research team to shape improved health and wellbeing of young people living with type 1 diabetes.
If you have type 1 diabetes and would like to become involved in this study you are welcome to attend the youth panel formation meeting in Galway on 19th February at 6.30pm: http://www.diabetes.ie/2014/01/youth-panel-formation-meeting/. For queries please contact Mary Clare O’Hara, Researcher, UHG (MaryClare.OHara@hse.ie or Phone: 091 542 840).
Liam Mc Morrow (Diabetic for 12 years and collaborator on study)
