New and exciting DESMOND research will get underway in May this year when the DESMOND self-monitoring study begins. The study, funded by Diabetes UK, will be comparing the effectiveness of urine and blood monitoring on glycaemic control when monitoring skills are part of a structured education programme – in this case, the DESMOND programme.
Surprisingly, very little evidence of the benefits of self monitoring in people with Type 2 diabetes not on insulin is weak. The few studies comparing blood and urine monitoring have shown no difference in outcome. This may be because monitoring is usually taught in isolation rather than as part of a structured education programme, so that a person’s understanding of the place of monitoring in successful self –management is unclear.
This influential study has already completed a successful pilot stage, and seven primary care trusts are signed up to take part. But for others who may be interested there is still time to join!
Participation will involve recruiting 45 patients and delivering 6 courses. All costs will be reimbursed and of course the Educators involved will benefit from the extra training and research experience.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Helen Dallosso, Research Associate at: helen.dallosso@uhl-tr.nhs.uk or tel: 0116 2587290.
How would like to become a trained DESMOND Educator? Do you live in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Peterborough, Leicester and West Lothian? If the answer to both those questions is Yes! Then we are looking for you!