OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore from parents' perspectives the circumstances and events which led to their child being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective was to understand reasons for delays in seeking treatment and parents' emotional reactions to diagnosis so others can be better informed and supported in future. METHODS: In-depth interviews with 54 parents of children (aged ≤12 yr) with T1D were conducted. Data analysis used an inductive, thematic approach. RESULTS: Parents described a 'prompt' and a 'delayed' pathway to their child being diagnosed. Parents who considered the diagnosis to be 'prompt' reported how they, or other people, had recognized their child had developed symptoms of T1D which resulted in a rapid presentation to health care professionals. In contrast, parents who perceived their child's diagnosis to be 'delayed' did not recognize signs of T1D and attributed their child's deteriorating health to other conditions, being out of routines and/or their stage of development. These parents often only sought medical help when symptoms became extreme. All parents were distressed by their child's diagnosis; however, parents in the 'delayed' pathway expressed unresolved feelings of guilt, particularly when their child was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. DISCUSSION: Parents' and other people's knowledge about T1D can affect the duration between onset of their child's symptoms and diagnosis. Campaigns to raise awareness should ensure that parents are made aware of symptoms and that T1D can develop during childhood. Health care professionals could discuss with parents the events preceding their child's diagnosis to better determine their emotional support needs.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore from parents' perspectives the circumstances and events which led to their child being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The objective was to understand reasons for delays in seeking treatment and parents' emotional reactions to diagnosis so others can be better informed and supported in future. METHODS: In-depth interviews with 54 parents of children (aged ≤12 yr) with T1D were conducted. Data analysis used an inductive, thematic approach. RESULTS: Parents described a 'prompt' and a 'delayed' pathway to their child being diagnosed. Parents who considered the diagnosis to be 'prompt' reported how they, or other people, had recognized their child had developed symptoms of T1D which resulted in a rapid presentation to health care professionals. In contrast, parents who perceived their child's diagnosis to be 'delayed' did not recognize signs of T1D and attributed their child's deteriorating health to other conditions, being out of routines and/or their stage of development. These parents often only sought medical help when symptoms became extreme. All parents were distressed by their child's diagnosis; however, parents in the 'delayed' pathway expressed unresolved feelings of guilt, particularly when their child was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. DISCUSSION: Parents' and other people's knowledge about T1D can affect the duration between onset of their child's symptoms and diagnosis. Campaigns to raise awareness should ensure that parents are made aware of symptoms and that T1D can develop during childhood. Health care professionals could discuss with parents the events preceding their child's diagnosis to better determine their emotional support needs.
Authors: Molly L Tanenbaum; Dessi P Zaharieva; Ananta Addala; Priya Prahalad; Julie A Hooper; Brianna Leverenz; Ana L Cortes; Nora Arrizon-Ruiz; Erica Pang; Franziska Bishop; David M Maahs Journal: Diabet Med Date: 2022-08-08 Impact factor: 4.213
Authors: Andrew McConville; Amy E Noser; Eve-Lynn Nelson; Mark A Clements; Shideh Majidi; Susana R Patton Journal: Pediatr Diabetes Date: 2020-05-29 Impact factor: 4.866
Authors: Laura B Smith; Xiang Liu; Suzanne Bennett Johnson; Roy Tamura; Helena Elding Larsson; Simi Ahmed; Riitta Veijola; Michael J Haller; Beena Akolkar; William A Hagopian; Marian J Rewers; Jeffrey Krischer; Andrea K Steck Journal: Pediatr Diabetes Date: 2018-05-02 Impact factor: 3.409
Authors: Julia Townson; Dunla Gallagher; Laura Cowley; Susan Channon; Michael Robling; David Williams; Clare Hughes; Simon Murphy; Lesley Lowes; John W Gregory Journal: Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Date: 2017-12-18
Authors: Hugo Segerer; Michael Wurm; Julia M Grimsmann; Beate Karges; Andreas Neu; Marina Sindichakis; Katharina Warncke; Axel Dost; Reinhard W Holl Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2021-06-04 Impact factor: 5.594
Authors: David Rankin; Jeni Harden; Norman Waugh; Kathryn Noyes; Katharine D Barnard; Julia Lawton Journal: Health Expect Date: 2014-07-29 Impact factor: 3.377