Information needs of young adults with type 2 diabetes : a literature review

<b>Background </b>Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent in young adults but there is very little information about what information they need to undertake diabetes self-management.<br /><br /><b>Aim </b>To undertake a structured literature review to identify what information people with type 2 diabetes aged 25 to 45 years need to manage their diabetes and how they would like to receive it.<br /><br /><b>Methods</b> A structured literature search was conducted. The MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMI, APAIS-Health databases were searched for articles published between 1980 and 2011. The reference list of journals and relevant websites were searched. Inclusion criteria were: literature about T2DM in young adults and literature about education and information needs of young adults with T2DM.<br /><br /><b>Results </b>Only one article specifically focussed on the information needs of young people with T2DM and two reports included some information about T2DM and young adults. The limited data available suggested young adults with T2DM have specific information needs that are not sufficiently addressed in current resources, and have some needs different from young people with type 1 diabetes. Young people with T2DM want clear, consistent information from credible sources, delivered in a range of formats. They also want psychological support and counselling, age-specific education groups, after hours access to health professionals and education provided to family members and the community about T2DM in young people and about how to support people with T2DM.<br /><br /><b>Conclusion </b>With the prevalence of T2DM in young adults continuing to increase, the need to address the specific information needs and learning styles of people with T2DM aged 25 to 45 is increasingly important.<br />