Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Diabetes is a primarily self-managed condition, and education to patients and families is an essential component of a diabetes service. In line with accepted UK practice, our diabetes team provides a comprehensive education program at diagnosis and regularly thereafter.

Methods: From October 2017 to January 2018, all patients attending diabetes clinic were offered a pseudo-anonymised mixed methods survey, covering experience of education, barriers to education attendance, and ideas to improve our education provision. The respondent’s HbA1c, collected on the same day, was recorded.

Results: Of the 117 surveys returned (51% of our population), 46% were completed by patients, 48% by parents/carers, and 4% by both together. Of the respondents, 59% had attended an annual education clinic (mean HbA1c 64 mmol/mol). The 41% who hadn’t attended had a mean HbA1c of 68mmol/mol. Those who chose not to attend because they ‘already know about diabetes’ had an HbA1c ranging from 42–104 mmol/mol, with a mean of 61 mmol/mol [95%CI=52–70 mmol/mol]. Most respondents indicated confidence managing their diabetes: 85% confident/very confident, 1% underconfident. In the qualitative analysis, several unexpected themes emerged. First, respondents indicated that meeting other children and families was what they most valued about education clinic. They suggested peer-led education, sessions delivered by young adults who had recently transitioned, and more socialising opportunities. Second, respondents requested information about research such as novel technologies, artificial pancreas systems, and the search for a cure. The third theme that emerged was mental health, both as a barrier to and a consequence of diabetes management. Finally, respondents suggested more technological approaches to education provision such as Facebook, YouTube videos, emails and webinars.

Discussion: There continue to be unmet needs in diabetes education, and patients’ and families’ priorities may differ from the diabetes teams’. Peer support and peer education should play larger roles, and broadening education clinics to include topics such as ‘advances in diabetes research’ may widen their appeal. While some of this data is unit-specific, much of it could be applied UK-wide to make education more patient-focused.