Helping caregivers to optimise glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative study exploring parents’ experiences and views.

Children with type 1 diabetes aged under twelve years often experience suboptimal blood glucose control. Amongst this age group, parents assume much responsibility for undertaking and supervising diabetes-related tasks. Little attention has been paid to how parents manage their child’s diabetes, and how they can be better supported in caring for their child and improving their blood glucose control. In this overview paper we summarise key findings and implications for health professionals arising from an exploratory qualitative study undertaken in Scotland involving parents of children with type 1 diabetes. This includes the identification of factors and considerations which influence and inform parents’ adherence to treatment advice; and ways in which they could be better supported at and soon after their child’s diagnosis, to manage diabetes effectively in the home setting and during paediatric diabetes consultations.