P-416: My type 1 info - introducing an analog resource to support young people with type 1 threatened by mobile phone crackdowns in schools in the UK

Introduction

School age pupils with type 1 diabetes rely on their mobile phones to monitor blood glucose and calculate insulin dose adjustments. Many schools across the UK are following government guidance on banning mobile phone in schools, and the government plans to make it illegal to have a mobile phone in school.

In addition, many pupils report having to explain their diabetes to multiple teachers during the school week. This is emotionally exhausting and frustrating for young people.

This need was presented by an active member of Diabetes UK’s Together Type 1 community, representing feedback from hundreds of young people living with type 1.

Objectives

We wanted to create a resource that could be used by young people to explain a) type 1 diabetes, and b) why the young person needed access to a phone as a medical device.

Methods

We determined that the resource had to be an analog paper resource that could be used if a phone had already been confiscated by a teacher. We reviewed a number of potential models looking for a hardwearing option to withstand the rigours of daily school life.

We opted for a “Z-card” paper document that folds to the size of a credit card and has protective covers that will keep the document safe in a bag or pocket. The Z-card can be written on with pupil’s diabetes information and the tech they are using.

Results

We printed 7,000 MY TYPE 1 INFO Z-cards and the Together Type 1 youth teams across the UK distributed them to diabetes teams. A second print run of 5,000 units was made available on the Diabetes UK shop where they can be ordered for free by individuals. Hundreds of MY TYPE 1 INFO cards are ordered each month.

Conclusions

Our main conclusion is that the trend towards digital resources should factor in the backlash against mobile phones. Resources need to be available in analog (paper) format as well – particularly as schools are becoming increasingly restrictive regarding mobile phone use. This is highly desirable for school-age pupils and those who support them.