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Hearing from children who have diabetes
1Department of Midwifery and Child, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts.
Summary
Children with diabetes can express their feelings about their condition. This study explored their experiences, identifying six key themes to improve care for pediatric diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Child Psychology
- Diabetes Self-Management
Background:
- Limited research exists on children's subjective experiences of diabetes.
- Understanding children's perspectives is crucial for effective diabetes care.
- Phenomenological approaches are suitable for researching children's lived experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and understand the lived experiences of children aged 7-12 years with diabetes.
- To identify themes that characterize children's feelings and perspectives on 'being diabetic'.
- To inform practice and improve support systems for pediatric diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative phenomenological research approach was employed.
- Data were collected from children aged 7-12 years diagnosed with diabetes.
- The study focused on children's self-expression of their feelings and experiences.
Main Results:
- Children aged 7-12 years can effectively express their feelings about having diabetes.
- Experiences clustered into six major themes: finding out, daily discipline, being normal, good things, bad things, and support.
- These themes provide insight into the multifaceted nature of childhood diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Children's perspectives on diabetes are valuable and can be captured through appropriate research methods.
- The identified themes offer practical implications for healthcare providers, educators, and families.
- Enhancing support and understanding based on these themes can improve the quality of life for children with diabetes.