Exploring the relationships between illness perceptions, self-efficacy, coping strategies, psychological distress and quality of life in a cohort of adults with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes has a significant negative impact on mental health and quality of life (QoL). Underpinned by the Common Sense Model (CSM) the mediating role of coping patterns, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression symptoms on the relationship between illness perceptions and QoL in patients diagnosed with diabetes was evaluated. A total of 115 participants with diabetes (56, Type 1; 59, Type 2), 51% female and an average age of 52.69 (SD = 15.89) in Australia completed self-report measures of illness perceptions and psychological wellbeing. Baseline measures included illness perceptions, coping styles, psychological distress (anxiety and depression symptoms), self-efficacy, and quality of life. Mediating relationships were measured using structural equation modelling. A model of good fit was identified explaining 51% of the variation in QoL. Illness perceptions directly influenced QoL, maladaptive coping, self-efficacy, and anxiety symptoms. The relationship between illness perceptions and QoL was partially mediated by anxiety; illness perceptions and depression was fully mediated by maladaptive coping and self-efficacy; and self-efficacy and QoL was partially mediated by depressive symptoms. Findings provide validation of the CSM in a diabetes cohort. Psychological interventions likely to have the most benefit on psychological distress and QoL are those targeting mediating psychological processes, including maladaptive coping and self-efficacy.

Flying beyond Gray's Anatomy: A psychologist's experience in palliative care and psycho-oncology.

A clinical fellowship provides opportunities for health professionals to learn specialist skills from experienced mentors in "real-world" environments. In 2010-2011, I had the opportunity to complete a palliative care and psycho-oncology clinical fellowship in a public hospital. I found ways to integrate academic training into my practice and become a more independent psychologist. In this essay, I aim to share my experience with others and highlight key learnings and challenges I encountered. In providing psychosocial care, I learned to adapt my psychological practice to a general hospital setting, learning about the medical concerns, and life stories of my patients. I faced challenges navigating referral processes and had opportunities to strengthen my psychotherapy training. In the fellowship, I engaged in educational activities from the more familiar psychological skills to observing surgical teams at work. I also developed confidence facilitating groups and an interest in group psychological support for young adult offspring of people with cancer. I was able to engage participants with haematological cancer in qualitative research about their experiences of corticosteroid treatment. In this process, I came to understand the complexity of chemotherapy regimens. Overseeing my development were multiple supervisors, offering unique insights that I could take in and integrate with my personal practice and worldview. Throughout this process I became increasingly tuned into my own process, the impact of the work, and developed self-care routines to help disconnect from my day. I also reflected on my experiences of loss and grief and developed a deeper understanding of myself as a person. I use the metaphor of a parachuting journey to illustrate various aspects of my learning.

Exploring health care providers' perceptions of the needs of stroke carers: informing development of an optimal health program.

BACKGROUND: Health care provider experiences of the carer have been researched, but little is written about how these can inform development of support programs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) explore health care provider perceptions of stroke carer roles and support needs and (2) examine carer needs across the stroke care trajectory to assist with development of an Optimal Health Program (OHP) to support carers. This study is part of a staged program of research that will evaluate and refine the OHP. METHODS: Four dual-moderated semi-structured focus groups of stroke health care providers across acute, subacute, and community rehabilitation services were conducted. Facilitators used a semi-structured focus group schedule to guide discussion. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic and content analysis. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: transition, information, and impact of stroke. A number of subthemes highlighted the distinct roles of health care providers and carers. Specific elements of the OHP were identified as having the potential to advance support for carers across the stroke care trajectory. DISCUSSION: Findings support the integration of an OHP for carers within existing stroke care services in Australian public hospital and community settings. CONCLUSION: This study suggests how health care provider experiences could inform a self-management OHP to assist carers in navigating stroke services and to address their health-related concerns.

Initial evaluation of the Optimal Health Program for people with diabetes: 12-month outcomes of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate if a new Mental health IN DiabeteS Optimal Health Program (MINDS OHP) compared with usual care in adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes would improve psychosocial outcomes including self-efficacy and quality of life.Design and Main Outcome Measures This initial randomised controlled trial evaluated MINDS OHP compared with usual care. Participants were recruited through outpatient clinics and community organisations. The intervention group received nine sessions with assessments over twelve months. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy and quality of life. Secondary outcomes included diabetes distress and anxiety. RESULTS: There were 51 participants in the control group (mean age = 52) and 55 in the intervention group (mean age = 55). There were significant main effects of time in general self-efficacy, diabetes distress, diabetes self-efficacy, and illness perceptions, however no significant between-group differences in primary or secondary outcomes. Post-hoc analyses revealed MINDS OHP improved diabetes self-efficacy for participants with mild to severe depression and anxiety, with a small effect. CONCLUSION: Initial evaluation found MINDS OHP was associated with improved diabetes self-efficacy for adults with diabetes, for people with mild to severe levels of distress, with small effect. Further research is required to explore whether this disease-specific, collaborative care-focused intervention benefits the mental health of people with diabetes.

Glucose patterns following alcohol and illicit drug use in young adults with type 1 diabetes: A flash glucose monitoring study.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the effects of alcohol and illicit drug use in young adults (age 18-35) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on flash glucose monitor sensor glucose (SG) readings. METHODS: Twenty young adults with T1D were enrolled from a tertiary referral hospital outpatient department in Melbourne, Australia for a 6-week prospective observational study using flash glucose monitoring (FGM). Glucometrics comparing substance using days (SUEDs) to those without substance use (non-SUEDS) were analysed. The primary outcomes were the difference in mean SG values, its standard deviation and minutes/24-h period out of range (SG <3.9 mmol/L or >10.0 mmol/L) between matched SUEDs vs non-SUEDs. An interaction model with the primary effect of HbA1c on SG values was also performed. RESULTS: There were no differences in the primary outcome measures between SUEDS and non-SUEDs. However, there were differences in the regression coefficients for HbA1c and glucometrics between non-SUEDs and SUEDs for mean SG, time out of range and time with SG > 10 mmol/L. This difference was also identified between non-SUEDS and days of ≥40 g alcohol for mean SG. CONCLUSIONS: While there was no difference between glucometrics for SUEDs and non-SUEDs on primary outcomes, HbA1C was found to be a less reliable predictor of glucose patterns in the 24-h period following substance use than control days. Young adults with T1D need to monitor and respond to their glucose levels following substance use and engage in harm minimisation practices irrespective of baseline glucose control.

Experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes while using alcohol and recreational drugs: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of semi-structured interviews.

AIMS: Alcohol and recreational drug use is common in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and may account for increased morbidity and mortality. This study explores the motivations and experiences unique to this population while using alcohol and recreational drugs. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews focusing on substance use were performed with 16 young adults aged 18-35 with T1DM who drink alcohol (at least 50 g, 5 Australian standard drinks, in a single session) and/or used recreational drugs. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the interview data was performed by three clinicians with differing expertise (a psychologist, endocrinologist and addiction medicine specialist). RESULTS: A range of motivations, experiences and harm reduction strategies regarding substance use were described specific to young adults with T1DM with most aimed at mitigating the risk of hypoglycaemia. Clinicians remained the most trusted resources, however, substance use was rarely discussed at clinical encounters. Currently available information, especially for illicit drugs, was described as inadequate. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis identified experiences unique to young adults with T1DM when using alcohol and other drugs. Understanding these experiences and how these young adults attempt to mitigate the risks of substance use may lead to improved clinical interactions and management strategies.

Alcohol and recreational drug use in young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Alcohol and other recreational drug use reaches peak prevalence in young adulthood, including for those with chronic medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes. This review summarises the current literature on the patterns of substance use amongst young adults with type 1 diabetes and the mechanisms through which alcohol and recreational drugs may affect diabetes related health outcomes. These include the direct physical effect of intoxication, as well as the effects of alcohol and drugs on mental health and glucose metabolism. Evidence for increased associated mortality and morbidity is also presented, and current guidelines, management strategies and directions for further research are discussed.

The Mental Health in Diabetes Service (MINDS) to enhance psychosocial health: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: After a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, people not only have to cope with the physical aspects and common complications that require daily self-management, they are also faced with ongoing psychosocial challenges. Subsequently they find themselves having to navigate the health system to engage multidisciplinary supports; the combination of these factors often resulting in reduced health-related quality of life. To maintain optimal diabetes control, interventions need to incorporate psychosocial supports and a skill base for disease management. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate an 'Optimal Health Program' that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate and support the psychosocial health of people diagnosed with type I or II diabetes. METHODS: This prospective randomised controlled trial will include 166 people diagnosed with diabetes: 83 in the intervention (Optimal Health Program) and 83 in the control (usual care) group. Participants with type diabetes mellitus will be recruited through hospital outpatient clinics and diabetes community organisations. Participants in the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster session) sequential sessions, based on a structured treatment manual emphasising educational and psychosocial support self-efficacy and skills building. The primary outcome measures will be generalised self-efficacy (GSE) and health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D). Secondary measures will be anxiety and depression (HADS), social and workplace functioning (WSAS), diabetes-related quality of life (DQoL), diabetes-related distress (PAID), and type of coping strategies (Brief COPE). In addition, a health economic cost analysis and process evaluations will be performed to assess the economic cost and efficacy of the program's operations, implementation and service delivery. DISCUSSION: We envisage that the Optimal Health Program's emphasis on self-efficacy and self-management will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to achieve increased empowerment and independence in aspects of health, which in turn, will help participants deal more effectively with the physical and psychosocial complexities of diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12614001085662 . Registered on 10 October 2014.

The Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) to enhance psychosocial health: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and distress, and often profoundly affects the quality of life of stroke survivors and their carers. With the support of carers, many stroke survivors are returning to live in the community despite the presence of disability and ongoing challenges. The sudden and catastrophic changes caused by stroke affects the mental, emotional and social health of both stroke survivors and carers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a Stroke and Carer Optimal Health Program (SCOHP) that adopts a person-centred approach and engages collaborative therapy to educate, support and improve the psychosocial health of stroke survivors and their carers. METHODS: This study is a prospective randomised controlled trial. It will include a total of 168 stroke survivors and carers randomly allocated into an intervention group (SCOHP) or a control group (usual care). Participants randomised to the intervention group will receive nine (8 + 1 booster) sessions guided by a structured workbook. The primary outcome measures for stroke survivors and carers will be health-related quality of life (AQoL-6D and EQ-5D) and self-efficacy (GSE). Secondary outcome measures will include: anxiety and depression (HADS); coping (Brief COPE); work and social adjustment (WSAS); carer strain (MCSI); carer satisfaction (CASI); and treatment evaluation (TEI-SF and CEQ). Process evaluation and a health economic cost analysis will also be conducted. DISCUSSION: We believe that this is an innovative intervention that engages the stroke survivor and carer and will be significant in improving the psychosocial health, increasing independence and reducing treatment-related costs in this vulnerable patient-carer dyad. In addition, we expect that the intervention will assist carers and stroke survivors to negotiate the complexity of health services across the trajectory of care and provide practical skills to improve self-management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12615001046594 . Registered on 7 October 2015.