ELOPE-GDM study

“Exploring the Long-Term Outcomes Following a Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus”

Principal investigators: Dr Shoba Poduval and Dr Jamie Ross

Start date: 1 October 2021
End date: 31 September 2023

Could you take part in research to explore women’s experiences of gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during a pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester. It’s important to manage it during pregnancy and after birth to try and prevent it from progressing to type 2 diabetes.

We are looking for women to take part in an interview study being conducted by University College London about experiences of receiving a gestational diabetes diagnosis with the aim of improving our understanding the experiences of being tested for and living with gestational diabetes.

Please read the information below to see if you might be eligible to take part.

What is the study?

This study forms part of a wider programme of work which is investigating the long-term health outcomes, healthcare costs, and personal experiences of women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

We would like to interview women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes within the last 24 months. In addition to learning about the screening and diagnosis process, we would like to explore women’s motivations and opportunities for making lifestyle changes to manage their gestational diabetes and prevent it from progressing to type 2 diabetes.

The findings from this study will inform future research on the development of new interventions to prevent and treat gestational diabetes.

Who can take part?

Women aged 18-45

Currently pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes or up to 24 months postnatal following a pregnancy with gestational diabetes

Capacity to read and understand the participant information sheet and consent form (this can be translated into a first language, if necessary)

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. Those who choose to take part will be asked questions about their views and experiences of testing for and living with gestational diabetes. You will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about you and your health.

The interview may be carried out in person, over video call (Zoom, Teams, or Skype), or over the telephone. In person interviews may take place at a convenient location for you (e.g., your local GP practice, suitable community location, or at home). You will be reimbursed for your time. In addition, compensation for travel to the interview location will be provided, so there will be no extra travel or costs for you to take part. There may be financial assistance for childcare if needed. The interview will be audio-recorded (or video recorded in the case of a video call) and will last up to one hour.

How do I take part?

To learn more about the research study and to see if you are eligible to take part, please contact the research team:

Dr Amanda Moore

Research Fellow

UCL Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health

Email: elope-gdm@ucl.ac.uk

About the research team

The study is being conducted by University College London and is funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research.

The Principal Investigators for this interview study are Dr Shoba Poduval, a GP academic and Dr Jamie Ross a Senior Research Fellow from the e-Health Unit in the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at University College London.

Read the participant information sheet

Sign the electronic consent to take part