Home Education for Children with Newly Diagnosed Type-1 Diabetes-Exploring Needs and Experiences among Participants of Home Education Visits

Abstract

Objective: Type 1-diabetes is increasing among younger age groups and type 1-diabetes has a major impact on daily life of both the children and their families. The aim of the current study was to explore a family and network centered intervention to children with newly diagnosed type-1 diabetes. Home education visits performed by health care professionals were evaluated using focus group interviews. Method: We conducted five focus group interviews with 21 home education attendants and two individual interviews with health care professionals. Employing inductive content analysis. Results: Families of children who have newly been diagnosed with type 1-diabetes struggle to comply with diabetes care and, thus, leaving the children to the care of others is a major concern. Lack of knowledge among members of family and social network, adhere to an anxiety of doing something wrong in relation to diabetes care. Home education visits educate the wider family and social network about diabetes care. Focus group participants and health professionals describe that the education visits constitute a major support for parents in the task of instructing family and social network members. Additionally, family and social network members report that they feel more confident to contribute more to the care of the child with type 1-diabetes. Conclusion: Existing prejudices and lack of knowledge leads to stress and worry among the social network of children with type-1 diabetes. Home education improves knowledge and feeling of confidence concerning diabetes care among family and social network, with the potential to strengthen and maintain close social relations.