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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #374472
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: What's working in pediatric type 1 diabetes provider-family relationships?

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2020
Publication Date: 3/19/2020
Citation: Eshtehardi, S., Cao, V.T., McKinney, B.M., Anderson, B.J., Thompson, D.J., Marrero, D.G., Hilliard, M.E. 2020. What's working in pediatric type 1 diabetes provider-family relationships?[abstract]. Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (online). March 19-21, 2020; Dallas, TX. Poster Presentation.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Effective provider-family relationships are critical to quality healthcare. Despite this knowledge, little research in pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D) has aimed to better understand provider factors that facilitate positive family experiences. Thus, the current study aims to qualitatively explore parental experiences to identify themes that promote positive provider-family relationships. As part of a larger qualitative study on diabetes health-related quality of life, 23 parents (96% mothers) of youth with T1D (age 5-17 years, M age=10.9+/-3.8 years; 35% female) completed semi-structured interviews about their experiences parenting a child with T1D, including. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded using NVivo software, and interpreted using content analysis to derive central themes. Three themes emerged related to positive provider-family relationships: knowledge, helpfulness, and access. (1) Parents expressed feelings of satisfaction as a result of a provider's knowledge and conveyed expertise about diabetes management. (2) Helpful attitudes towards youth’s diabetes management were also described as impacting satisfaction. Furthermore, parents reported being drawn towards providers who take the time to explain aspects of management clearly and in lay terms. (3) Many parents discussed provider access characterized as the parents' ability to efficiently contact team members for help with T1D care and management; reporting diabetes providers' responsiveness as critical to the perceived satisfaction of providers. Some parents also described a general level of contentment with diabetes team members based on multiple facets including satisfaction with providers’ diabetes-related knowledge, perceived helpfulness, and responsiveness. In the context of the current focus on the "Triple Aim" of healthcare, identifying factors that increase family satisfaction can be informative and could highlight a role for pediatric psychologists to support medical teams and help improve the healthcare system. Efforts to support effective pediatric provider-family relationships need to take into account parental perspectives of provider knowledge, helpfulness, and responsiveness.