Educational Needs and Technological Preferences of Fathers of Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this study was to identify the educational needs and technological preferences of fathers of youth aged 6 to 17 years with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Participants completed 2 surveys and 1 in-person semistructured interview. Survey data were collected via Qualtrics; interviews were recorded and transcribed. The quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS 22.

Thirty fathers/stepfathers of youth 6 to 17 years old with T1DM participated in the study. Participants reported high levels of unmet diabetes-related educational needs, including needs in fundamental areas of diabetes management such as treatment of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and calculating and adjusting insulin doses. A majority of participants identified educational needs in more nuanced aspects of diabetes management, indicating a need for more information about insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, managing diabetes at school, and finding help for diabetes challenges. All participants used smartphone technology, and most expressed interest in receiving diabetes education via mobile technology.

The findings contribute to our understanding of the educational needs of fathers of children with T1DM and provide preliminary support for the acceptability of delivering diabetes education via mobile technology. The incorporation of patient and caregiver perspectives into the development of mHealth diabetes education applications may increase engagement and improve health outcomes.