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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Management: A Qualitative Study
Kacey Ferguson1, Hailey Moore2, Jasmine H Kaidbey1
1Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Insights
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacted pediatric type 1 diabetes management, with parents noting benefits like increased family time and telehealth convenience, alongside challenges like reduced activity and heightened psychosocial stress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health
- Psychosocial Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for managing chronic childhood conditions.
- Pediatric type 1 diabetes requires consistent daily management, which may be disrupted by external crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of pediatric type 1 diabetes.
- To identify facilitators and barriers experienced by parents in managing their children's type 1 diabetes during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing in-depth interviews with 15 parents of children (aged 6-12 years) with type 1 diabetes.
- Analysis of 8 open-ended questions using qualitative thematic methods after transcription and coding of interviews.
Main Results:
- Parents reported positive aspects, including increased family time and convenience of telehealth and online ordering.
- Challenges included disrupted routines leading to increased sedentary behavior and exacerbated psychosocial difficulties.
- Overall experiences were mixed, highlighting both adaptive strategies and significant stressors.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic had a complex influence on pediatric type 1 diabetes management.
- Interventions should focus on promoting physical activity, limiting screen time, and providing accessible mental health support for families.
- Continued support systems are crucial for navigating chronic condition management during public health crises.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to understand impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric type 1 diabetes management.
Methods:
In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 parents of children (age 6-12 years) with type 1 diabetes. Parents responded to 8 open-ended questions about their experiences managing their children's type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative thematic methods.
Results:
Parents reported both positive and negative aspects of managing their children's type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitators of diabetes management included spending more time together at home and enhanced convenience of telehealth appointments and online supply ordering. Parents also described difficulties managing their children's type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a lack of structure in their child's daily routine, which led to increases in sedentary behavior. Furthermore, they reported psychosocial challenges of type 1 diabetes management, which were exacerbated by the pandemic.
Conclusion:
While the COVID-19 pandemic was described as having overall positive impacts on pediatric type 1 diabetes management, efforts to support parents in increasing children's physical activity and reducing screen time are needed, along with readily accessible mental health resources for both parents and their children with type 1 diabetes.
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