ENHIDE telehealth support for 148 disengaged young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study – rationale and study design

Abstract

Disengaged young adults with type 1 diabetes are vulnerable to poor health outcomes. Potentially 20% of those aged 16–30 years could be included in this category. East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) commissioned the East and North Herts Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (ENHIDE) to pilot an innovative model of care in August 2016. Young adults aged 16–30 were offered an alternative model of tailored care, with access to a young adult support worker and specialist nurse. Inclusion in the project was based on fulfilling at least one of the following criteria:Acute admission with diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycaemiaNon-attendance for retinal screeningNon-attendance at clinics on at least two consecutive occasionsPersistent HbA1c levels >75 mmol/molNon-attendance for routine laboratory measures of glycaemia and renal functionMultidisciplinary team review stating need for more flexible careWe invited 148 young adults to participate in the project. Of these, 118 have been recruited after the initial contact, markedly exceeding the 10% take-up rate set by the CCG. The project will evaluate changes in emergency admissions, attendance for routine biochemical tests and retinal screening, changes in glycaemic control and quality of life measures at 6 and 12 months after entry to the project