Parental Perceptions of Safe and Effective School-Based Diabetes Management: A Qualitative Study

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is a disease that impacts daily life and requires individualized management while at school. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' perceptions and feelings surrounding facilitators and barriers to health safety of their child with T1DM in schools and parent driven factors to overcome them. Using a qualitative approach, parents (N = 12) of children with T1DM who attend school outside the home were interviewed in 2019 and data was analyzed through content analysis. Five themes emerged from the study: (1) pre-school preparation, (2) parents as educators, (3) longing for normalcy, (4) communication facilitating perceptions of safety, and (5) policies and technology: the tortoise and the hare. Parents exhibited a multitude of emotions including, gratitude, frustration, and disappointment, but, overall, felt their children were safe at school due to parent-instituted practices. Continued policy development is needed for standards surrounding ongoing communication avenues for parents and incorporating technology.