Kia ora!
Welcome to the DaSH study
On this page you will find information to help you decide if you would like to participate.
Before you decide, please feel free to talk about this study with your family, whānau, friends, or healthcare providers. We hope to see you there!
What is this study all about?
In this study, we aim to learn how many adults are living with diabetes and sensory health conditions (particularly relating to eye, hearing and foot health).
We also aim to find out if services for these conditions are accessible.
We are randomly selecting people from GP clinics and inviting them to attend a free health check for diabetes, eyes, hearing and feet.
Our aim is to help improve services and support healthy ageing for all our communities.
Making sense of sensory care services in Aotearoa
Free health checks
Everybody counts!
We encourage you to participate even if you have no concerns with your health, or are already accessing care for your eyes, ears, feet, or diabetes.
Participants will receive free health checks:
Eye & vision check
- vision screening
- glaucoma screening
- photos of the inside of your eyes
No eye drops required!
Ear & hearing check
- hearing screening using over-ear headphones
- a look inside your ears
Foot health check
- a check for loss of feeling in your feet
- photographs of your feet
Diabetes screening
- blood glucose screening for diabetes
- measurements of your height, weight, and blood pressure
Summary report
A report summarising your results from the health checks will be sent to your GP, so that this can be added to your health records.
Referral to other services
If required, we will provide you with a list of health care providers who can support you with any follow-up health services at little or no cost.
Who are we?
We are a team of health researchers from the University of Auckland with training in eye, ear, foot health, and diabetes. Here are some of the people you might meet during the DaSH study:
Pushkar Silwal
Researcher & Coordinator
Celia Bhargav
Community Coordinator
Telusila Vea
Community Coordinator
Tama Ngahere
Community Coordinator
Alehandrea Manuel
Audiologist
Damithri Welikala
Audiologist
Michele Garrett
Podiatrist
Deborah Ewuru
Health screener
Participant stories
Before this study began, we conducted a pilot study in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes. We are pleased to share some of our participant stories with you.
I know that my eyesight has been a hindrance. So this is fantastic. I can now take on better tasks at work, or bigger tasks, because I know I’m going to be ok.
Judith
Participant in our pilot study
Frequently asked questions
Where and when will this health check take place?
Do I need to pay for anything?
I can't travel. Can I still participate?
Can I bring a support person?
Someone I know didn't receive an invitation. Why is this?
Besides the health checks, what else happens during my visit to the DaSH study?
Will my GP receive any information about my health checks?
What other information is collected or shared?
We will also check to see if you access any services in the six months after your health check. This will help us to learn how accessible services are.
This component of the study is optional and you can still take part in the health check and interview. Just let us know if you would prefer that we did not access any information about your service use related to diabetes, eye, hearing or foot care.
Can I download a copy of the study information?
Yes. Please click here to download a PDF of our Participant Information Sheet that explains the study in more detail.