Abstract
Many adolescents with type 1 diabetes experience challenges in achieving good glycemic control and have insufficient understanding in executing interventions for glycemic control. This study aimed to understand self-management experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan. In this descriptive phenomenological study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 18 adolescents with type 1 diabetes from the pediatric outpatient clinic of a medical center. Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi’s method. Four themes were identified: (1) misconception regarding self-management of blood glucose; (2) conflict between depending on and breaking away from parental assistance for glycemic control; (3) encounter with disruptions in glycemic control regimen due to the presence of schedule changes; and (4) lack of motivation to achieve good glycemic control. The findings indicated that the misconceptions of adolescents with type 1 diabetes about managing glycemic levels resulted from an insufficient understanding of self-management of diabetes. In Taiwan, the heavy emphasis of academic achievement and changes of schedules during breaks tended to disrupt the regimen for glycemic control. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to provide individualized education focusing on the adolescents’ misconceptions regarding self-management of diabetes.
Highlights
The International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes estimated that the global incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) among children below age 15 was 20/100,000 in 2013 [1]
This study showed that adolescents with T1D received diabetes education from their parents, which is similar to findings from Babler et al [5] study
This study found the adolescents’ self-management of diabetes was implemented based on the knowledge and guidance from their parents
Summary
The International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes estimated that the global incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) among children below age 15 was 20/100,000 in 2013 [1]. 500,000 children are diagnosed with T1D worldwide [2]. In Taiwan, the incidence of T1D in children grew from 3.56 to 5.88 per 100,000 from 1999 to 2010 [3]. The incidence of T1D is not as high as that in the Western countries, it has been increasing year by year. Adolescents with T1D need knowledge and skills of diabetes care to undertake self-management of diabetes [5,6]. King et al.’s [6] qualitative study showed that the complicated knowledge about diabetes management often caused confusion and misunderstanding and became barriers to their self-management of diabetes.
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