It is estimated that up to 40 % of people with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) experience diabetes distress (DD) resulting in decreased quality of life and increased HbA1c. Aligned with international guidelines recommending annual DD screening in PWT1D, this study aimed to pilot test methods for nurses to systematically detect and address DD in routine consultations.

The pilot test involved 30 consultations incorporating: 1) DD screening using a validated short-form measure, the Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale-7, capturing the most common sources of DD, 2) test of a dialogue tool supporting nurses in addressing DD, 3) semi-structured interviews with 30 PWT1D after DD screening, 4) post-consultation evaluation questionnaires for nurses. Interviews were analyzed using thematic text condensation and descriptive statistics were used for questionnaires.

The mean age and diabetes duration of PWT1D were 47 and 26 years, respectively. Fifteen participants were women. Of the 30 participants included, 53% of participants reported moderate to high DD. All PWT1D expressed very high satisfaction with discussing psychological aspects of diabetes in consultations. Analysis of interviews revealed three themes: 1) detecting sources of DD framed and structured content of crucial conversations, 2) addressing DD revealed a hidden mental burden, and 3) engaging in discussions about DD enhanced emotional well-being. Approximately 80% of the nurses reported successful dialogue about DD and 71% found the screening and dialogue tool to be a good conversation starter.

This study showed that methods for systematically detecting and addressing DD in clinical settings were useful and acceptable. Future research should explore methods for upscaling and implementing DD screening tools, ensuring a widespread and systematic approach to detect PWT1D with DD in consultations and referring to relevant treatments reducing DD in PWT1D.

Disclosure

V. Stenov: None. J.N. Christensen: None. M. Due-Christensen: Stock/Shareholder; Novo Nordisk A/S. Research Support; Novo Nordisk Foundation. B. Cleal: None.

Funding

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (201309274): Novo Nordisk Foundation (0079851)

© 2024 by the American Diabetes Association
2024
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