Are children with type 1 diabetes safe at school? Examining parent perceptions

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• School Health Management
• Diabetes Care in Educational Settings

Background:

• Children with type 1 diabetes require consistent care and monitoring at school.
• Parental perceptions are crucial for understanding the effectiveness and safety of school-based diabetes management.
• Variations in school policies impact the provision of diabetes care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate parent perceptions of diabetes care for children in schools.
• To assess the availability of healthcare professionals and staff training.
• To examine the safety and satisfaction of children with diabetes at school.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to parents of children with type 1 diabetes.
• Participants were from states with differing policies on non-medical staff providing diabetes care (permissive vs. non-permissive).
• Data collected included perceptions of care logistics, staff training, hypo-/hyperglycemia management, and overall safety.

Main Results:

• Most parents reported school nurse availability during the school day.
• Parents indicated a need for training teachers and coaches in diabetes care.
• Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia occurred frequently, with care provided by nurses, children, and parents.
• Parents in permissive states reported similar safety and satisfaction levels compared to non-permissive states.

Conclusions:

• Training non-medical school staff is recommended to improve the safety of children with diabetes.
• This approach is particularly important in situations where a school nurse may not be consistently available.
• Parental input highlights the need for comprehensive staff training in diabetes management within schools.