Derriford plays key role in diabetes SMS research

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has made a significant contribution to a research study using phone text messaging to help patients at high risk of Type 2 Diabetes manage their health and lifestyle.

The study offers a unique opportunity to those at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes to receive education and support currently not widely available to them in General Practice by using Short Messaging Service (SMS)or texts. The technology is being used to encourage and advise on lifestyle changes, including diet and activity, in people with impaired glucose regulation and at risk of developing this condition.

The 26 UK sites conducting the study include four from the South West – Plymouth - at Derriford Hospital; the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, at Treliske; South Devon Healthcare Foundation Trust, at Torbay Hospital and the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, at RD&E Wonford.

Since opening this study in January 2015, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has exceeded its recruitment target of 50 patients in partnership with city GP practices – a commendable achievement for the Plymouth Diabetes Research Team and for the first time nurse Principle Investigator Gail Watt.

PHNT Diabetes Research Team Leader Gail Watts said: “The city GP surgeries which supported this research trial embraced the concept of using this technology to advise and support patients in managing their health and wellbeing. The GPs recognised the real potential for using this approach in future practice.”

She added that it was genuine team work and excellent relations with the GP community which achieved recruitment of 80 patients to this study led by Imperial College London.

This study, which is being conducted in the UK and India, is assessing the effectiveness and acceptability of a text messaging system to prevent progression to diabetes in people at high risk. It involves five clinic visits over two years. Study participants are randomly selected with a computer-generated method to either receive the usual care or the text messaging support.

Usual care is a 30 minute interview with diet and exercise advice with written material and education about diabetes. The text message recipients receive weekly advice, support and motivation tailored to their own health needs, in addition to the usual care.

The study seeks to research the progress to diabetes with or without the SMS intervention.