Survey of diabetes professionals regarding developmental changes in diabetes self-care

There are no empirically obtained data defining appropriate developmental expectations for the acquisition of self-care independence by children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This study surveyed diabetes professionals about their estimates of ages at which children typically master 38 diabetes skills. The 229 survey respondents represented a broad range of professions and clinical settings and had extensive experience as diabetes professionals. Mean mastery age estimates were less than 14 yr for the 38 skills assessed. Responses to each item were variable among respondents, with a mean SD of 2.1 yr in estimated mastery ages for all items. Estimated mastery ages were below the age ranges recommended by the American Diabetes Association for 14 of 20 comparable skills. Physicians generally expected the diabetes skills to be mastered at later ages than did nurses or other health-care professionals. There were no other consistent response patterns related to respondent characteristics, i.e., years of clinical experience, employment setting, current patient load, or method of survey distribution.