AIM: To assess the provision of UK paediatric and adolescent diabetes services and examine changes in service delivery since 2002. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to the lead paediatric consultant from all paediatric and adolescent diabetes services (n=205). Questions were based on National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines recommendations for diabetes care in childhood. Results were analysed using parametric and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: 129 Services (63%) returned questionnaires involving 220 clinics. Staffing has improved and 98% of consultants have a special interest in diabetes (89%, 2002). In 88% of services, the diabetes specialist nurse worked solely in paediatric diabetes (53%, 2002). Only 21% of clinics have a psychological professional integrated within the diabetes team (20%, 2002). Over 94% of services offered support with intensive insulin regimens causing problems at school for 36% of services. Almost all services offer annual microvascular screening (98-100%) but transitional care was variable; only 76% of services have specific local protocols for transition and 21% organise transfer by letter only. CONCLUSION: Paediatric and adolescent diabetes services are rising to the challenge of providing high-quality care despite rising prevalence and increasingly complex insulin regimes. Services have improved in a number of key areas but serious deficiencies remain.
AIM: To assess the provision of UK paediatric and adolescent diabetes services and examine changes in service delivery since 2002. METHOD: Questionnaires were sent to the lead paediatric consultant from all paediatric and adolescent diabetes services (n=205). Questions were based on National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines recommendations for diabetes care in childhood. Results were analysed using parametric and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: 129 Services (63%) returned questionnaires involving 220 clinics. Staffing has improved and 98% of consultants have a special interest in diabetes (89%, 2002). In 88% of services, the diabetes specialist nurse worked solely in paediatric diabetes (53%, 2002). Only 21% of clinics have a psychological professional integrated within the diabetes team (20%, 2002). Over 94% of services offered support with intensive insulin regimens causing problems at school for 36% of services. Almost all services offer annual microvascular screening (98-100%) but transitional care was variable; only 76% of services have specific local protocols for transition and 21% organise transfer by letter only. CONCLUSION: Paediatric and adolescent diabetes services are rising to the challenge of providing high-quality care despite rising prevalence and increasingly complex insulin regimes. Services have improved in a number of key areas but serious deficiencies remain.
Authors: Mike Robling; Rachel McNamara; Kristina Bennert; Christopher C Butler; Sue Channon; David Cohen; Elizabeth Crowne; Helen Hambly; Kamila Hawthorne; Kerenza Hood; Mirella Longo; Lesley Lowes; Tim Pickles; Rebecca Playle; Stephen Rollnick; Emma Thomas-Jones; John W Gregory Journal: BMJ Date: 2012-04-26
Authors: Adrian Sayers; Daniel Thayer; John N Harvey; Stephen Luzio; Mark D Atkinson; Robert French; Justin T Warner; Colin M Dayan; Susan F Wong; John W Gregory Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-04-13 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Richard G McGee; Chris T Cowell; Gaston Arnolda; Hsuen P Ting; Peter Hibbert; S Bruce Dowton; Jeffrey Braithwaite Journal: BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care Date: 2020-07