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Aims To identify factors that influence lack of engagement of young adults with Type 1 diabetes (aged 13-21 years) with structured diabetes education ( SDE) to inform and broaden the reach of future SDE. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 227 young people with Type 1 diabetes drawn from 11 health trusts across Northern Ireland and England, deemed to be representative of the wider population. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring non-attendance, along with the Diabetes Care Profile, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Short Form), the Diabetes Knowledge Test and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Demographic, health and diabetes-specific variables including HbA1c were also collected. Results The five most commonly cited reasons for non-attendance were 'Had other things to do' (68.3%), 'No time' (62.2%), 'Could not get time off school/college or work' (60.8%), 'Learnt about diabetes from other sources' (55.5%) and 'Feel able to cope on own' (52.9%). Conclusions Greater emphasis is required on communication with young people about the benefits of SDE. In addition, efforts need to be directed to making diabetes education more accessible without losing the quality of structured programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study examined the research and development culture and capacity within one NHS Trust in Northern Ireland. Strengths and challenges were identified and opportunities for further research and development expansion were sought. Methods This is a two-stage project incorporating a baseline survey (n = 379) followed by consultation with key stakeholders across the Trust (n = 11). Findings In the survey, over half of the respondents (n = 194) stated they had participated in a research project and a significant number (n = 313) read health care journals. Identification of barriers to research resulted in findings similar to other published work. Staff responded positively about using research in practice (n = 328) and that practice should be influenced by research (n = 312). Nurse Managers indicated support for research and development activity. Conclusion The study provides a starting point from which to develop a positive research and development culture within this Trust. Implications for nursing management After establishing a baseline of research and development activity across a large acute Trust, the strengths and weaknesses of such activity were identified with a view to informing a strategy to develop this aspect of professional activity. A change in an organizational culture cannot be made without full support of both the clinicians and their managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to identify the expressed reasons adults with type 2 diabetes decline structured diabetes education (SDE)., Methods: cross sectional survey of 335 adults with type 2 diabetes who had declined SDE within the past two years, from across Northern Ireland and England. Standardised instruments comprising The Diabetes Attitude Scale, Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Short Form), and Diabetes Knowledge Test plus a questionnaire to elicit the reasons for declining SDE were used., Results: Mean age 57.6 years (±21.1) 50.7% males, predominantly of White ethnicity (85.7%). They were most frequently invited to attend by a diabetes specialist nurse (36%), general practitioner (27%) or practice nurse (19%). Although a diversity of reasons for declining SDE were cited the most common were; 'The course was too long' (47.2%), 'I have other health problems' (41.2%) and they had other priorities (33.4%). Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that expressed reasons for declining SDE were highly individualised., Conclusion: The wide range of reasons that impeded attendance suggests there is no simple solution that will improve attendance rates., Practice Implications: In the same way that medical treatment for diabetes is becoming increasingly individualised, educational provision should be encouraged to move away from a one size fits all model., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Health professionals working in primary care and public health have opportunities to address body weight status issues with their patients through face-to-face contact. The objectives of this all-Ireland project are: 1. to assess the attitudes, current practices/behaviours and knowledge of key health professional groups on body weight status; 2. to assess the health professional groups' ability to identify body weight status in both adults and children. The health professional groups are: (a) community related public health nurses; (b) school public health nurses; (c) GPs and practice nurses (primary care); and (d) occupational health nurses (workplace) from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland., Methods/design: This all-Ireland multi-disciplinary project follows a mixed methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and consists of four components:1. Literature review - to explore the role of health professionals in managing obesity through spontaneous intervention in a variety of health promotion settings.2. Telephone interviews and focus groups - to gain an in-depth insight into the views of health professionals in assessing body weight status.3. Survey (primarily online but also paper-based) - to determine the attitudes, current practices/behaviours and knowledge of health professionals in assessing body weight status.4. Online evaluation study - an online interactive programme will be developed to assess health professionals' ability to identify the body weight status of adults and children., Discussion: This project will assess and report the attitudes, current practices/behaviours and knowledge of key health professional groups within Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on body weight status, and their ability to identify body weight status in both adults and children. The results of this project will generate recommendations for clinical practice in managing obesity, which may inform policy guidelines.