Inadequacy of in-school support for diabetic children

The level of blood glucose control needed to minimize complications in children with diabetes requires frequent blood sugar monitoring and appropriate responses to the information obtained. It is our impression that optimal support for good control is not available in all of the schools our patients attend. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify barriers to good control of diabetes in the school setting, and then use this information to target interventions to improve in-school support for children with diabetes. Two questionnaires were designed based on recommendations of the American Diabetes Association for appropriate in-school support for children with diabetes. Parental perception of in-school resources was addressed in one questionnaire. Forty-seven parents of children with diabetes in our clinic were surveyed. The second questionnaire was mailed to 222 randomly selected schools in our area inquiring about the in-school support available to children with diabetes and the types of educational materials that would be useful for school personnel. Thirty percent of the parents of children with diabetes indicated that the in-school support of their child was insufficient. Sixty-five of the 222 schools surveyed responded. The responses were variable and demonstrated inconsistency and, in some cases, inadequacy of support. A major deficiency noted in 13% of schools was lack of on-site personnel trained in diabetes management skills. From the schools' perspective, however, 50% of schools reported lack of parental communication. The care available for the child with diabetes is highly variable among schools. Targeted educational materials for both school personnel and parents would be useful to improve support for these children.