Endocrine Abstracts

Research shows that young people with diabetes often have poor attendance rates in clinical settings and increased presentations of DKA at hospitals. Clinical settings may not adequately support young people in managing all aspects of their diabetes. Engaging young co-researchers in research design, implementation, and dissemination provides invaluable insights into the unique challenges of managing diabetes in adolescence and young adulthood. The D1-Now study aims to be one of the first studies designed by, with, and for young people with diabetes. Reflecting on our 2018 IES conference abstract, which detailed the successful formation and replicability of the Young Adult Panel (YAP), the current study focuses on co-designing and evaluating pilot and effectiveness trials with YAP. D1-Now uniquely included 8-10 young people with diabetes who informed, designed, and refined an intervention aimed at young adult diabetes clinics across Ireland. This intervention comprised three key elements: an SMS app, an agenda-setting tool for clinic visits, and a key support worker for each young person. The pilot trial, conducted over 12 months across 4 diabetes centres, demonstrated the transformative impact of involving young people in research, highlighting the need for patient-centred interventions. Findings suggests that the approach is both feasible and acceptable with a few changes. Building on the success of the pilot trial, the upcoming effectiveness trial will include a YAP mentor panel and a YAP panel, sustaining and elevating young adults’ engagement over the years while incorporating necessary updates to their representation. This co-designed study demonstrates the importance and transformational impact of including young people in research development and evaluation. By amplifying their voices, researchers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of diabetes management, leading to more effective, patient-centred interventions. Therefore, involving young people as co-researchers in diabetes studies enhances the relevance and acceptability of interventions, promoting empowerment and self-advocacy.