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Research study evaluating the ‘Healthier You’: NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme
Principal investigators: Dr Jamie Ross and Prof Elizabeth Murray
Start date: 1 October 2020
End date: 31 March 2022
Study description
We (University College London and The University of Manchester) are conducting a research study investigating what people think about the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme.
The NHS needs to know why or why not people decide to join this programme, their experiences of joining and what could be improved to help more people make use of the programme. We have designed a project which will help answer these questions.
What is the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme?
Type 2 diabetes is a common problem.
The NHS have brought in new services to help prevent Type 2 diabetes, including the ‘Healthier You’ Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) to help people make changes to their lifestyle (e.g. diet and exercise). This support is also offered digitally, and is called the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DDPP).
There are several providers who deliver the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme and you may be more familiar with their names: WW, Second Nature, Oviva and Liva.
Who can take part?
We are seeking to interview people who have been offered the Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme about their experiences.
It does not matter if you have decided to join the programme or not – we are interested in the views of all people who are offered the programme including those who have joined, those who have decided not to join, and those who might decide to join it at another time.
We intend to interview up to 30 people in total. Recruitment will close once we reach our target.
How do I know if I’ve been offered the programme?
You may have been offered the opportunity to join the NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme via your GP practice, by taking the “Know Your Risk Score” type 2 diabetes risk score, or directly by the providers of the programme.
People who meet the following criteria may have been offered the programme:
- adults, aged 18 or over;
- Identified as having -nondiabetic hyperglycaemia (pre-diabetes)
- identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in accordance with the ‘Know your risk score’
Please contact us if you are not sure if you have been offered the programme but are interested in taking part.
What is involved in taking part?
If you take part in this study you will participate in an interview with a member of the research team. The interview will be carried out over video call (such as Zoom), or over the telephone. The interview will be audio-recorded and will last up to one hour. You will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about you and your health.
Further information about the study can be found in the Participant Information Sheet at the bottom of the page.
How do I take part?
To discuss the research further and to see if you are eligible to take part please contact Dr Jamie Ross. Email: Dr Jamie Ross Tel: 020 8016 8037
Further study details
DIPLOMA 2 is an extension study of the DIPLOMA research programme (Diabetes Prevention – Long Term Multimethod Assessment), which was carried out by University of Manchester.
The DIPLOMA study investigated the face-to-face component of The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP). People referred on to the face-to-face programme get tailored, personalised help, including education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programmes, which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In 2018 a new NHS framework was released for prediabetes education, which included providing support digitally. The University of Manchester along with researchers at UCL obtained an extension to their DIPLOMA programme of work, to evaluate the digital stream of the Diabetes Prevention Programme (DDPP).
The digital stream offers similar support, assistance and guidance but through the use of digital interventions such as:
- wearable technologies that monitor levels of exercise
- apps that allow users to access health coaches
- online peer support groups
- the ability to set and monitor goals electronically.
There are several work packages involved in the DIPLOMA 2 extension study. We lead work package 9, which evaluates patient decision making around, and experience of, the DDPP.
Collaborators
The DIPLOMA programme grant is held by the University of Manchester
Funding
Ethical approval
This study has been reviewed and approved by the North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee (ref. 17/NW/0426).
