ACBRD at the 29th PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) Scientific Meeting
By Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott [1], Dr Eloise Litterbach [2], and Prof Jane Speight [3]
PsychoSocial Aspects of Diabetes (PSAD) [4] is an international network of researchers, clinicians, and people living with diabetes. We share a passion for improving psychosocial research and care in diabetes. Each year, PSAD hosts a scientific meeting to promote research excellence, share knowledge, and encourage translation into practice. This May, we attended the 29th PSAD Annual Scientific Meeting in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Engaging discussion: from open to close
With 65 participants from 23 countries, the meeting featured workshops, masterclasses, and presentations on completed and ongoing research.
PSAD chair, Prof Jane Speight [3], opened the meeting with an update on the upcoming EASD diabetes distress clinical guidelines [5]. Jane and co-presenters then facilitated a workshop focused on the challenges and opportunities for guideline implementation. Highlights included the need for multi-level solutions, leveraging existing local health system pathways and champions of mental health care in diabetes. This robust discussion, in a supportive and impact-driven environment, set the scene for the rest of the conference.
One of the final sessions was the Mark Peyrot Great Debate, tackling a topical question: Efficiency vs proficiency—Is AI an important innovation or a concerning compromise in the psychosocial aspects of diabetes? This sparked strong opinions on AI’s growing role in health care. We look forward to seeing more discussion and recommendations supporting effective and ethical AI adoption in diabetes care and research in the future.
Sharing our latest research
Two ACBRD staff gave oral presentations during the meeting. More results from these studies will be shared soon.
Dr Eloise Litterbach [2], shared her research on family meals after gestational diabetes. She explored how mealtimes provide opportunities for families to connect and for parents to role model healthy eating. In collaboration with mothers, Eloise developed positive messages to support healthy family meals. These messages encourage flexible, realistic approaches to family eating.
Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott [1] shared a mixed-methods evaluation of diabetes stigma awareness raising campaign videos. This study explored feedback on the videos among Australian adults with and without diabetes. It also examined whether those who saw the videos were more or less likely to report stigmatising attitudes or acknowledge the occurrence of diabetes stigma.
Listening to Lived Experience
A strong lived experience presence was facilitated by the PSAD Axel Hirsch Travel Awards, funded by the PSAD and administered in partnership with #dedoc° [6]. Three advocates with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were partially supported to attend. Award winners shared their stories and insights, highlighting the crucial role of lived experience in diabetes research.
Post-conference, a workshop focused on the power of meaningful engagement of people with lived experience. Three presenters shared their stories. Liz shared how her experience with gestational diabetes has influenced her research. Attendees then explored ways to enhance community involvement in diabetes research and care. The discussion emphasized lived experience as essential expertise and encouraged mutual learning among the community, researchers, and clinicians.
Next generation: Strong ECR Presence
This event was a great chance to reconnect with colleagues, discuss ongoing projects, and plan future collaborations. We were delighted to have a strong Early Career Researcher (ECR) attendance. ECRs presented on their innovative studies, shaping the future of psychosocial research in diabetes. Eloise plays a key role as ECR co-chair, leading a mentorship program, helping to support new researchers.
Looking Ahead
PSAD 2025 was an inspiring event, fostering learning, collaboration, and connection.
The ACBRD has the honour of hosting the 30th PSAD scientific meeting. In February of next year, PSAD will be held in Geelong, Australia. We look forward to another exciting and impactful gathering!
Join the network [7] and become a PSAD member. Watch this space for details on how to participate in the meeting.
