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Collaborative Photovoice PhD with Coventry University
Key aim:
PhD research focused on the co-design of self-management support with, and for, young women with Type 1 Diabetes, Rachael Hughson-Gill.
Type 1 diabetes is a demanding and challenging chronic condition that requires constant self-management. This can be difficult for young women as condition management is intertwined within the complexities, turbulence and social intensity of day-to-day young adult life. The unique challenges for young women, make this an age group with the need for a targeted intervention.
As part of the co-design process, Rachael completed a creative and novel study employing the Photovoice method. Over a week, five young women with Type 1 Diabetes took and narrated photographs illustrating and exploring their management of the condition. The group then discussed and explored these photos and what they represent, uncovering themes of barriers and facilitators.
Read morePatient and Care-partners Needs
Approximately 6 million people have diabetes (10% with Type 1 Diabetes and 90% Type 2).
In 2019, there were almost 14,000 diabetes-related deaths and annual NHS diabetes costs approach £10 Billion.
The likelihood of diabetes is higher in certain ethnic groups, such as South Asian, and there is also a strong correlation in the most deprived areas.
There are also many areas of diabetes distress and other aspects of mental illness associated with the challenges of self-management in diabetes and obesity.
Support with diabetes distress and other aspects of mental illness associated with the challenges of self-management in diabetes and obesity.
Our Vision
- Integrating education to include behaviour change science, clinical psychological principles, technology, and structured professional support which will enable more effective self-care, reduced distress and improved quality of life
- That technology is used as one important component of multiple pillars, collecting data, providing motivation through messaging and crucially, integrated with structured education addressing key self-care behaviours
- Use principles around integrating clinical psychology, behaviour change science reflecting in patient recorded data and structured professional support found in Type 1 Diabetes research to help successfully manage Type 2 Diabetes and obesity
Our Approach
- Our success depends upon widespread participation. We will therefore specifically target those from communities with a high prevalence of diabetes and obesity whose engagement with health professionals has been low
- Engage with industry to work in partnership, facilitating integration of effective education and presenting data to patients in ways that enable learning
- Engage with a diverse range of community organisations to understand barriers people experience in accessing and using effective self-care approaches in diabetes and obesity and co-create solutions
- Work in partnership to facilitate and integrate effective education, including key self-management behaviours, and present data to patients in ways that enable learning
- Working with SMEs to develop tools aiding self-management, ensuring they are fitness-for-purpose and have evidence available to support adoption
