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Feasibility of Parent-to-Parent Support in Recently Diagnosed Childhood Diabetes: The PLUS Study
Sue Channon1, Lesley Lowes2, John W Gregory3
1South East Wales Trials Unit, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK (Dr Channon)
Insights
Parent-to-parent support for families of children with new-onset type 1 diabetes is feasible in the UK. While mentors and staff engaged well, recipient uptake was lower than anticipated, suggesting further research into parent preferences for peer support is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Healthcare Interventions
- Patient Support Systems
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes diagnosis significantly impacts families.
- Parental support is crucial for managing childhood chronic conditions.
- Existing support systems may not fully meet the needs of newly diagnosed families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess the feasibility of a parent-to-parent support intervention for UK families with a child newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
- To evaluate recruitment, uptake, attrition, contact patterns, and acceptability of the intervention.
- To adapt a US-based peer support model for the UK context.
Main Methods:
- Formative evaluation approach involving parents in intervention design.
- Adaptation of a US parent-to-parent support program.
- Assessment of mentor recruitment and retention (n=12/19 mentors).
- Evaluation of recipient family participation (n=7/25 eligible families).
Main Results:
- Mentor recruitment (63%) and retention (11/12) were strong.
- Intervention acceptability was positive among participating parents and clinic staff.
- Uptake by recipient families was lower than expected (28% of eligible).
- Key lessons were identified regarding the mentor-mentee relationship dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Parent-to-parent support for childhood type 1 diabetes is feasible in the UK.
- The intervention demonstrated good engagement from mentors and healthcare staff.
- Lower-than-expected uptake by recipient families highlights a need for further investigation.
- Future research should explore parent preferences for peer support models.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a parent-to-parent support intervention for parents whose child has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom.
Methods:
The research team conducted a formative evaluation, working with parents to design an individual-level parent-to-parent support intervention. Issues of recruitment, uptake, attrition, pattern of contact, and intervention acceptability were assessed.
Results:
A US program was adapted in collaboration with a parents' advisory group. Of 19 parents nominated as potential mentors by their pediatric diabetes specialist nurses, 12 (63%) volunteered and 11 continued for the 12-month intervention period. Thirty-three children were diagnosed with diabetes in the study period, with 25 families eligible to participate as recipients of the intervention; 9 parents from 7 of those families participated, representing 28% of those eligible. Feedback from parents and clinic staff identified peer support as a welcome service. Lessons were learned about the nature of the supporting relationship (eg, proximity, connectedness, and managing endings) that will enhance the design of future peer support programs.
Conclusions:
Parent-to-parent support in the context of newly diagnosed childhood diabetes in the United Kingdom is feasible to deliver, with good engagement of mentors and clinic staff. The program was acceptable to parents who chose to participate, although uptake by parents whose child had been recently diagnosed was lower than expected. The results merit further investigation, including exploration of parent preference in relation to peer support.
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