Optimising the Delivery of Diabetes Distress Informed Care for Its Prevention, Detection, and Management in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: a Feasibility Study (D-stress Study)

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have had type 1 diabetes for more than a year. To join, you also need to have used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) regularly in the three months before the study starts. We're also inviting healthcare professionals from diabetes teams who are willing to learn about this new approach, as well as family members or friends who help care for someone with type 1 diabetes and are happy to be involved.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. If you've been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes less than a year ago, you won't be eligible. This is because the first year can be very different and intense. Pregnant women also can't take part, as pregnancy adds its own unique challenges. We also need to carefully consider people with certain mental health conditions, like severe depression or psychosis, on a case-by-case basis to make sure the study is right for them.

If you decide to take part in this study, the main part for you will be that your diabetes healthcare team will have received special training. This means they will be better equipped to recognise, ask about, and discuss diabetes distress during your regular appointments. If they identify that you have high levels of diabetes distress, you might then be invited to join an online group program. This program involves guided sessions designed to help you manage your emotions and diabetes self-care. The study will also involve some questionnaires to understand how you're feeling and how well the new care pathway is working. The total duration of your participation will depend on whether you join the online group program, but generally, it will involve being observed within your usual appointments for a period, with potential for several weeks if participating in the group program.