Experiences of parents of children with newly diagnosed diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of and support for parents of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
332191
Contact name
John Connolly
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bangor University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
In paediatrics, one of the most common long-term health conditions is diabetes (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2020). Diabetes has long-term management implications and children with diabetes are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health difficulties than their peers (Zenlea et al., 2014; Bernstein et al., 2013). Parents of children with diabetes have also been found to have lower wellbeing than their parental counterparts (Whittemore et al., 2012; Yaqoob et al., 2018). Research has found that distress for children and parents at the point of diagnosis and initial adjustment is particularly common (Simms & Monahan 2016). There is very little research that has focused on experiences and support for parents at the point of diagnosis. This study seeks to build on existing research by systematically and collaboratively exploring parent and clinician views on the process of diagnosis of type-1 diabetes in children.
This study will recruit parents of children who have had young children (up to 11 years old) diagnosed with diabetes within the last three years in one hospital in North Wales. It will also recruit the local clinicians involved in the diagnosis process. A participatory action research framework will be used to inform a programme of focus groups, including, separate initial focus groups with a group of 4-8 parents and 4-8 clinicians to explore the diagnosis process from both perspectives; an optional joint second focus group to review key themes; and a third optional joint focus group to discuss an action plan. Thematic analysis will be used to support the identification of key themes in the focus group data. Initial themes will be reviewed with the participants and then used to inform a proposed action plan to support improvements in the local diagnosis process.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0204
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion