Feasibility of an interactive, SMS-based diabetes distress support program for Type 1 Diabetes patients

A pilot, randomised controlled trial designed to test the feasibility of an interactive, SMS-based diabetes distress support program over a 6-month period against standard of care at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital) RPAH Diabetes Centre. The pilot RCT will assess current clinic standard of care (Strategy A) against clinic standard of care plus SMS support (Strategy B). All participants will complete the T1-DDS score, PAID-5 score, DES-SF score, DSAS-1 score on two occasions, at baseline and at six-months. All participants will complete the T1-DDS score, PAID-5 score, DES-SF score, DSAS-1 score on two occasions, at baseline and at six-months. Strategy A – Current standard of care (Quarterly - once every 3 months) • Quarterly in-person clinic appointments at the Diabetes Centre or via telehealth (with Endocrinologist and Diabetes Educator) for review of glycaemia, routine pathology test results, complication screening and treatment adjustment • Dietary review/education with the Diabetes Centre Dietitian (as required) • Provision of a personal blood glucose monitor (or an alternative monitoring modality – Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) or flash glucose monitoring) for self-monitoring of glycaemia at home Strategy B – Standard of care PLUS SMS support (SMS4T1D) • Current standard of care PLUS • A semi-personalised (male/female, name), twice weekly SMS relating to diabetes management (including general diabetes information [healthy eating, hypo support] and reminders about diabetes-specific self-care measures) • An option to engage with staff of the RPAH Diabetes Centre between routine clinic visits by sending diabetes-related questions via an SMS portal and receive a reply within one business day.