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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #349920
Title: Youth and parent feelings about type 1 diabetes (T1D) management technologies

Author
item ESHTEHARDI, SAHAR - Baylor College Of Medicine
item ANDERSON, BARBARA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item MCKINNEY, BRETT - Baylor College Of Medicine
item MARRERO, DAVID - University Of Arizona
item Thompson, Deborah - Debbe
item HILLIARD, MARISA - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2018
Publication Date: 4/6/2018
Citation: Eshtehardi, S.S., Anderson, B.J., McKinney, B.M., Marrero, D.G., Thompson, D.J., Hilliard, M.E. 2018. Youth and parent feelings about type 1 diabetes (T1D) management technologies [abstract]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (SPPAC). April 5-7, 2018; Orlando, FL. Poster Presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Use of T1D management technologies, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, is rapidly growing. However, research has only recently begun to evaluate youth and parent feelings about and experiences with using these technologies and the relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to explore feelings about diabetes technology use in parents and youth with T1D. As part of a larger qualitative study on diabetes HRQOL, 15 youth with T1D (age 8-17 years, 47% female, 47% Caucasian) and 21 parents (youth age 4-17 years, 90% female; 38% Caucasian) completed semi-structured interviews, including questions about diabetes technologies. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded to derive central themes. Four primary themes emerged related to diabetes technologies. (1) Participants described technologies making T1D management more convenient, such as by reducing blood glucose checks and insulin injections. (2) Participants discussed how technologies allowed them to be more spontaneous and flexible with food and activity choices. (3) Parents gave examples of diabetes technologies having a positive impact on their HRQOL, such as allowing them to have better sleep and by reducing their diabetes-related worries and stress. (4) Parents and youth described their hopes for future diabetes technologies that would have even greater impact on daily management demands, HRQOL, and diabetes outcomes, such as an "artificial pancreas." Few comments were related to burdens or pain related to technology use in this sample. Discussing how diabetes technology use has or could impact daily self-management and HRQOL with parents and youth can inform pediatric psychologists' care of families living with T1D and help providers support family decisions about using diabetes technologies. With more in-depth studies of these topics, a nuanced understanding of the benefits and possible downsides of using these technologies may guide behavioral interventions to help increase technology uptake/adherence.