Danny – Interview 40
Before taking part, Danny had to sign an assent form to say he agreed to take part in the trial. He was happy to take part and found it a good experience and learned more about his diabetes and how it affected him.
Danny, aged 13, lives with his parents and sister and attends a local school. He was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 4 years and recently he took part in a randomised trial on the management of diabetes in young people.
Danny was invited to take part when attending a routine clinic appointment. His parents first gave their consent and then Danny had to sign an assent form to say he agreed to take part. The research nurse explained what would be involved if he took part and the purpose of the trial.
Danny had to complete a total of three questionnaires and was also interviewed by a member of the trial team. Each questionnaire was based on multiple-choice answers and took about 10-20 minutes to complete. Questions asked included; how you cope and manage your diabetes, how other people think about you and how you cope at school.
Danny was pleased to take part and was pleased that other people wanted to know how he was feeling and coping with diabetes, it made him feel that other people cared and were interested. He says it is important that others know how young people feel in order to give the best treatment and to help finds cures for diabetes.
Danny would like to take part in other trials and wished that health professionals and researchers would ask young people more often. He says that if it helps other young people who has just been diagnosed then he is willing to take part in other similar trials.