Involvement In Diabetes Care Research Articles

The effect of social support and parental monitoring on glycaemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Glycaemic control is a crucial aspect of managing type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Strict glycaemic control has been proven to reduce the long-term complications of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of parental involvement in diabetes care and social support on glycaemic control in adolescents with T1DM. In this cross-sectional study, 94 adolescents and their parents admitted to a university hospital between January and July 2023 were included in the study. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (PMDC-R) and Parental Monitoring Scale (MSPSS) in Diabetes Care of Adolescents with T1DM were used as data collection tools. Females constituted 63.8% of the adolescents who participated in the study and the glycaemic control of females was significantly lower than males (p < 0.05). The mean HbA1c of the adolescents was 8.65 + 1.57. In the study, PMDC-R and MSPSS scores of adolescents with good and poor glycaemic control were compared. The PMDC-R of the good control group were statistically significantly higher than the poor control group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the MSPSS scores. Parental supervision plays a protective role in adolescents, and glycaemic control is better as parental supervision increases. Paediatric nurses should collaborate with parents in diabetes management. This approach may help adolescents to be more successful in diabetes management.

Copenhagen Diabetes Consensus (CODIAC) 2021: User involvement in diabetes care, prevention and research.

User involvement is pivotal for health development, but there are significant gaps in our understanding of the concept. The Copenhagen Diabetes Consensus on User Involvement in Diabetes Care, Prevention and Research (CODIAC) was established to address these gaps, share knowledge and develop best practices. A literature review of user involvement was undertaken in diabetes care, prevention and research. Moreover, a Group Concept Mapping (GCM) survey synthesized the knowledge and opinions of researchers, healthcare professionals and people with diabetes and their carers to identify gaps between what is important for user involvement and what is being done in practice. Finally, a consensus conference discussed the main gaps in knowledge and practice while developing plans to address the shortcomings. The literature review demonstrated that user involvement is an effective strategy for diabetes care, prevention and research, given the right support and conditions, but gaps and key challenges regarding the value and impact of user involvement approaches were found. The GCM process identified 11 major gaps, where important issues were not being sufficiently practised. The conference considered these gaps and opportunities to develop new collaborative initiatives under eight overall themes. User involvement is effective and adds value to diabetes care, prevention and research when used under the right circumstances. CODIAC developed new learning about the way in which academic and research knowledge can be transferred to more practice-oriented knowledge and concrete collaborative initiatives. This approach may be a potential new framework for initiatives in which coherence of process can lead to coherent outputs.

Development and Implementation of Diabetes Care by a Community Network Based on a Chronic Care Model.

This participatory action research was conducted by the collaborative health-related team in a district, in Thailand. The community network jointly developed a care model for diabetic patients in primary care using the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and evaluated the effectiveness of implemented model. Data was collected between October 2021 and March 2022 and involved 2 groups: 1) a community network of 25 people including representatives of the community hospital, primary care hospital, Sub-district administrative organization, community leaders, community representatives, representatives of diabetic patients, and representatives of caregivers of diabetic patients, and 2) 41 people with type 2 diabetes and 41 of their family caregivers. The research was conducted in 4 stages: planning, action, observation, and reflection. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, and the overall average knowledge scores of diabetic patients, family caregivers, and community representatives significantly increased from before (6.07 ± 2.11, 7.07 ± 1.98, P = .024, 5.74 ± 1.88, 7.37 ± 2.25, P < .001, 7.47 ± 2.44, 8.99 ± 1.72, P = .010) respectively. For satisfaction, diabetic patients were most satisfied with family caregiver support, while the community network representatives were most satisfied with their participation in planning a model for diabetic patients in primary care. After model implementation, the blood sugar-controlled patients (HbA1c < 7 mg%) significantly increased (0 and 9.76%, P = .045), although the fasting blood sugar (FBS) of diabetic patients did not improve. The development and implementation of diabetes care based on CCM, promoted community participation and involvement in diabetes care. This model mainly affected diabetic patients who could control their HbA1c level and the satisfaction of the community network.

LBSUN208 Patient Education And Addressal Of Social Determinants Of Health: Key To Improvement In Diabetes Care

Abstract As per American Diabetes Association, diabetes is a 'complex chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk reduction strategies beyond glycemic control'. In 2018, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the US population was 10.5% (34.2 million people). It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The average healthcare expenditure is 2.3 times higher for diabetics than non-diabetics. The goal of diabetes care as per the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology is HbA1c less than 7%, blood pressure less than 140/90mmHg, and LDL cholesterol less than 100mg/dl. Only 19.2% of diabetic population meet all these criteria. At the Guthrie-Robert Packer Hospital, we use the 'Diabetic Bundle' as a quality metric for the standard of care for diabetic patients. It is a metric with diabetic patients seen in the past 2 years who have an active Guthrie PCP, with A1C less than 8 in the past 6 months, LDL less than 70 mg/dl (or currently prescribed a moderate or high dose statin) in the past year and age 40-75, and medical attention for nephropathy (a microalbumin test in the past year, or a nephrology visit, or are on an ACE/ARB, or have ESRD/CKD Stage 4) as a system numerator and total diabetes patients seen in the last 2 years who have an active Guthrie PCP as a system denominator. For the past few years, the resident's clinic has had lower compliance with the diabetic bundle. Multiple factors were responsible. Lack of awareness about the quality metric, discontinuity of care, failure to educate patients, poor patient involvement in diabetes care, socio-economic barriers like lack of insurance, poor family and social support, lack of transportation, poor patient compliance, and low health literacy were some of the identified factors. We conducted the prospective study to improve diabetes care by assessing 'diabetic bundle' compliance. Key interventions were focused on creating a multidisciplinary care team of the clinic director, care coordinator, informatics, nurse, resident, and faculty. Resident education regarding the diabetic bundle, patient education and involvement in diabetes care, outreach calls and mails to the non-compliant, involving the care coordinator in addressing social needs, and regular updating of the diabetes registry were some of the main interventions done during the study period. All these interventions contributed to improvement in the diabetic bundle but we believe that the most important factor in improving diabetes care was educating the patients, involving them in their diabetes care, and addressing their social determinants of health. Presentation: Sunday, June 12, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Momentary Partner Involvement in Diabetes Self-Care and Continuously Measured Glucose: A Dynamic Analysis.

This study examined the dynamic, real-time associations between partner involvement in diabetes self-care and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) metrics in adults with type 2 diabetes. For 1 week, 63 participants wore Dexcom G4 CGMs and provided momentary reports of partner involvement in diabetes self-care five times per day. Dynamic structural equation models were used to estimate the reciprocal lagged effects of partner involvement on next-hour CGM metrics (and vice versa). Partner involvement predicted improved next-hour glucose control for five of six CGM metrics in analyses adjusted for time-varying covariates. The hour after partner involvement, the model predicted a 26.34 mg/dl decrease in glucose level (standardized β = -0.19), 30% greater odds of meeting target time in target range ( β = 0.07), 48% higher odds of target time below target range (TBR; β = 0.04; the only nonsignificant effect), 47% greater odds of target time above target range (β = 0.11), a 4.20 unit decrease in glucose standard deviation ( β = -0.19), and a 0.01 unit decrease in glucose coefficient of variation ( β = -0.08; all p values < .05). There was less consistent support for the reverse pathway, with only two metrics significantly related to next-hour partner involvement: glucose level ( β = 0.15) and TBR ( β = 0.21), such that having higher levels and meeting target TBR were significantly predictive of next-hour partner involvement. This is the first study showing that partner involvement in daily diabetes management predicts short-term glucose control. More research is needed to understand how partners influence glycemic control and evaluate interventions that promote their involvement in diabetes care.

Couples Managing Type 1 Diabetes Using Diabetes Technology.

Diabetes technology has improved the lives of people with diabetes (PWD), but there is little research on how insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) affect couples' relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine how the use of diabetes technology affects couple interactions. In a secondary data analysis, we used a multiple-method qualitative analysis, including a constant-comparison approach, to examine similarities and differences in couple interactions related to diabetes technology. PWD and their spouses were interviewed separately, using a semi-structured interview guide; the interviews primarily focused on how couples coped with type 1 diabetes. Participants (n = 134 couples) were using an insulin pump or CGM system. Average age was 44 ± 12.05 years for PWD and 44 ± 12.62 years for spouses. Couples' average length of relationship was 18 ± 12.50 years. Among the PWD, 54 used a pump only, 12 used CGM only, and 68 used both. Four main themes emerged: 1) diabetes technology facilitates shared diabetes management for couples, 2) diabetes technology facilitates spousal involvement in diabetes care, 3) diabetes technology is a source of relationship tension, and 4) diabetes technology causes positive/negative responses to sleep and alarms. Overall, couples perceived diabetes technology as having a positive effect on their relationship by increasing collaboration, promoting communication, and reducing diabetes burden and vigilance. Technology also was perceived to increase relationship tension, lifestyle inconveniences, and positive/negative responses regarding sleep and alarms. Involvement of spouses in diabetes technology education should be considered.

930-P: Improving Access and Communication through Telehealth for Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): Twelve-Month Outcomes

Improving access for diabetes care may help youth with poor glycemic control. Telehealth can expand access to care. Youth with T1D, Medicaid, and initial A1c 9-12% had quarterly diabetes goal setting and monthly telehealth glucose review/goal reinforcement. Over 12 mo we measured A1c q 3mo and assessed diabetes empowerment (1-5; higher=greater self-efficacy), diabetes distress (1-6; higher=greater), and intervention satisfaction (1-5; higher=greater). Youth (N=32, 56% male, 53% AA), aged 5-22 yr, had T1D for 5.1±3.5 years, baseline mean A1c 10.7±1.5%; 19% on CSII and 34% on CGM. At baseline, participants reported low levels of distress (mean 1.9 youth, 2.1 parents) and high self-efficacy (mean 4.2). There were no effects of intervention on distress or self-efficacy at 12-months for youth (p=0.11) or parents (p=0.36). There was no correlation between youth/parent distress scores. Baseline A1c correlated positively with youth burden and negatively with motivation: “takes too much mental/physical energy”(r=0.65, p=0.02); “controls my life” (r=0.70, p=0.008); “I can find ways to feel better about diabetes” (r=-0.67, p&amp;lt;0.02); “I know what helps me stay motivated” (r=-0.69, p=0.01). In contrast, baseline A1c correlated negatively with parental frustration and worry: “I’m the only one who takes responsibility” (r=-0.46, p&amp;lt;0.05); “worrying others will blame me if diabetes not well-controlled” (r=-0.57, p=0.03). A1c did not change and there were no differences in ED/hospitalizations compared to 2 years prior. However, participants reported satisfaction with the intervention (mean 4.3). While well received by families, a monthly telehealth intervention failed to impact A1c. Parental worry and frustration was higher in children with better A1c levels. Identifying ways to maintain parent involvement in diabetes care and enhance mental health support may help diabetes control and burden of disease. Future work should explore the long-term impact of telehealth support. Disclosure L. E. Rasbach: None. L. C. Page: None. M. Freemark: Advisory Panel; Self; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Research Support; Self; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc. V. Purrington: None. M. Griffis: None. A. Annas: None. R. Hall: None. R. Benjamin: None. Funding Duke University School of Medicine

910-P: Psychosocial Characteristics Associated with Diabetes Device Use in Teens with T1D

Insulin pumps and CGM devices can help youth with T1D achieve better glycemic control and alleviate self-care burden. However, not all youth want to use such devices. We compared psychosocial characteristics of teens with T1D and their parents/caregivers according to teen pump use vs. non-use as well as teen CGM use vs. non-use. At baseline, teens/parents completed psychosocial surveys assessing teen depressive symptoms [CESD], disordered eating behaviors, diabetes-specific family conflict, parent involvement in diabetes care, teen self-care, diabetes burden (PAID-Ped/PR), quality of life, and major life events. Diabetes treatment data were collected by interview and EHR review every 3 months for 18 months. Teens using/starting pump or CGM at all/most visits were considered pump users or CGM users, respectively. Chi-square and t-tests compared characteristics of device (pump, CGM) users with non-users. The sample comprised 301 teens aged 13-17 with T1D (41% male); mean age was15.0±1.3 years, T1D duration 6.5±3.7 years, and A1c 8.5±1.1%. Neither age, sex, nor T1D duration was related to device use. CGM and pump non-users had less favorable survey scores than device users for many psychosocial characteristics (Table). Identifying teens with less favorable psychosocial factors may help target those at risk for device non-use, allowing timely intervention and support by clinicians when initiating diabetes technologies.View largeDownload slideView largeDownload slide DisclosureC. Chen: None. L. J. Tinsley: None. L. K. Volkening: None. B. Anderson: None. L. M. Laffel: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Dexcom, Inc., Dompe, Insulogic LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Laxmi Therapeutic Devices, LifeScan, Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Provention Bio, Inc.FundingNational Institutes of Health (R01DK095273, T32DK007260, P30DK036836); JDRF (2-SRA-2014-253-M-B)

Depression and anxiety in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

Longitudinal studies including parental distress when examining adverse health outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes are lacking. This study examined whether parental depression and anxiety predict adolescent emotional distress and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 1 year later and whether a relation between parental distress and HbA1c is mediated by the level of parental involvement in diabetes care and by treatment behaviors. Longitudinal path modeling was applied to data from 154 adolescents and parents from diabetes centers participating in the Longitudinal study of Emotional problems in Adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their Parents/caregivers (Diabetes LEAP). At baseline and 1-year follow-up, participants completed measures of depression and anxiety. HbA1c was extracted from medical charts. Responsibility and treatment behavior questionnaires were completed by adolescents at baseline. Baseline parental depressive and anxiety symptoms were not associated with 1-year adolescent depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and HbA1c. Responsibility division and treatment behaviors did not mediate associations between parental emotional distress and 1-year HbA1c. Parental depressive and anxiety symptoms did not predict adolescent health outcomes 1 year later. Future studies may determine whether the link is present in case of mood/anxiety disorders or severe diabetes-specific distress, or whether adolescents are resilient in the face of parental distress. Adolescents with T1D are a vulnerable group in terms of psychological and health outcomes. Whether parental emotional distress (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms) is prospectively associated with adolescent emotional distress and/or HbA1c has been understudied. Our results show that parental distress was not related to adolescent distress or HbA1c 1 year later. Responsibility division and treatment behaviors did not mediate associations between parental emotional distress and 1-year HbA1c. Future studies could determine whether these links are present in case of mood/anxiety disorders or severe diabetes-specific distress, or whether adolescents are resilient in the face of parental distress.

Perspectives of Parents With Type 1 Diabetes: Role of Children in Self-Management and Support.

The purpose of this study was to examine parents' perceptions of the role children play in their type 1 diabetes (T1DM) care. Family members are a resource to support T1DM self-management, but how children are involved in their parents' diabetes has not been well explored. Parents with T1DM (n = 85) and a subset of their romantic partners (n = 55) participated in interviews during which they described their children's knowledge of and involvement in diabetes care. Interviews were transcribed, responses coded/tallied, and themes identified. All parents reported that children knew of their diabetes, which they learned about progressively from a young age. Most parents reported children to be accepting and understanding of the ways that diabetes affected their family experiences (eg, pause to treat low blood glucose). When asked about specific support, parents rated "making parent feel better about diabetes" as the most frequently occurring behavior. Some parents felt that children, particularly younger ones, occasionally detracted from T1DM management, but this was usually expected and considered transient. Regardless of child age, many parents did not want diabetes to burden children and limited their involvement. Both parents with T1DM and partners requested resources to enhance child awareness and preparedness to support diabetes. Respondents, particularly partners, were also interested in learning how to communicate better as a family and share perspectives on how diabetes affects individual family members. Diabetes care and education specialists should consider developmentally and relationally appropriate ways to engage children of parents with T1DM in education and self-management.

Patients' and Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of the Potential of Using the Digital Diabetes Questionnaire to Prepare for Diabetes Care Meetings: Qualitative Focus Group Interview Study.

BackgroundIn effective diabetes management, it is important that providers and health care systems prioritize the delivery of patient-centered care and that they are respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences and barriers.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to conduct focus group interviews to capture patients’ and health care professionals’ perceptions and attitudes regarding digital technology and to explore how the digital Diabetes Questionnaire can be used to support patient participation in diabetes care, as a basis for an implementation study.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted with six focus group discussions with diabetes specialist nurses and medical doctors (n=29) and four focus group discussions with individuals with diabetes (n=23). A semistructured focus group interview guide was developed, including probing questions. The data were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative content analysis was performed using an inductive approach.ResultsTwo main categories were revealed by the qualitative analysis: perceptions of digital technology and the digital questionnaire in diabetes management and care and perceptions of participation in diabetes care. An overarching theme that emerged from the focus group interviews was patients’ and professionals’ involvement in diabetes care using digital tools.ConclusionsThe analysis identified important factors to consider when introducing the digital Diabetes Questionnaire in clinical use. Both professionals and patients need support and training in the practical implementation of the digital questionnaire, as well as the opportunity to provide feedback on the questionnaire answers.

Online assessment of problem-solving skills among fathers of young and school-age children with type 1 diabetes: Associations with parent and child outcomes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a pediatric chronic illness that is associated with significant parenting stress due to its lifelong course, burdensome disease management, and life-threatening complications. Although mothers of children with T1D have been studied extensively in relation to parenting stress, coping, and diabetes outcomes, there is a need to examine similar variables among fathers. The aim of the present study was to examine if fathers' use of problem-solving skills was related to parenting stress and diabetes regimen adherence and if problem-solving skills moderated the associations between paternal involvement in diabetes care and parenting stress in a national online sample of 215 fathers of children with T1D. Self-report measures completed by fathers through Qualtrics included a demographic and disease-related questionnaire, the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised; Parenting Stress Index-Fourth Edition, Short Form; Pediatric Inventory for Parents; Dads' Active Disease Support Scale; and Self-Care Inventory-Revised. Pearson correlations were computed to assess associations among study variables. Four separate multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the interactive effects of problem-solving skills and paternal involvement on parenting stress. Analyses revealed a large positive correlation between problem-solving skills and general parenting stress (r = .63), and a large negative correlation between problem-solving skills and pediatric parenting stress (r = -.52). The interaction between problem-solving skills and father involvement accounted for a significant amount of variance in a general parenting stress subscale (p < .01) and pediatric parenting stress (p < .05). These results highlight the importance of problem-solving skills for father outcomes in the context of T1D while implicating the potential benefit of a problem-solving intervention for this population.

Assessing readiness for independent self-care in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Introducing the RISQ

AimTo design and evaluate psychometrics of adolescent self-report and parent proxy-report questionnaires assessing readiness for independent self-care in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (RISQ-T and RISQ-P). Methods178 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (ages 13–17 years) and their parents completed the 20-item RISQ-T and 15-item RISQ-P, along with diabetes-specific measures of parent involvement, self-efficacy, burden, and treatment adherence. Evaluation of psychometric properties included calculation of internal consistency, adolescent and parent agreement, test-retest reliability, concurrent and predictive validity. ResultsThe RISQ-T (α = 0.78) and RISQ-P (α = 0.77) demonstrated sound internal consistency. Higher RISQ-T and RISQ-P scores (indicating more adolescent readiness for independent self-care) showed significant associations with less parent involvement in diabetes care (adolescent r = −0.34; parent r = −0.47; p < .0001), greater adolescent diabetes self-efficacy (adolescent r = 0.32; parent r = 0.54; p < .0001), less parent-endorsed diabetes-related burden (parent r = −0.30; p < .0001), and greater treatment adherence (adolescent r = 0.26, p = .0004; parent r = 0.31, p < .0001). Adolescent and parent scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.35; p < .0001); test-retest reliability was reasonable (ICC RISQ-T r = 0.66; RISQ-P r = 0.71). Higher baseline RISQ-P scores significantly predicted reduced family involvement after six months (β = −0.14, p = .02). ConclusionsRISQ-T and RISQ-P demonstrate sound psychometric properties. Surveys may help inform diabetes teams of the level of support needed to facilitate shift to independent self-management.

Yours, Mine, and Ours: A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Management in Older Adult Married Couples.

The purpose of this study was to understand perceptions of diabetes management responsibilities and the impact of diabetes on day-to-day activities in older adulthood for individuals with type 1 diabetes and their spouses. This qualitative content analysis used a constant-compare approach to analyze individual interviews conducted with older adults and their spouses. People with type 1 diabetes (PWD) and their spouses were interviewed regarding how they coped or dealt with diabetes, what activities they carried out or avoided because of diabetes, and how they appraised diabetes as an individual or shared problem. Participants (n = 52) included 26 older adults with diabetes (mean age 69 years, SD 2.56 years; 38.5% female) and their spouses (mean age 68 years, SD 5.11 years; 61.5% female). Half of the PWD (50%) and the majority of spouses (76.9%) appraised diabetes as a shared issue. Five themes emerged from the interview data: 1) Perceptions pf PWD of spouse involvement in diabetes care, 2) PWD underestimated the impact of diabetes on their spouse's daily lives, 3) gendered nature of spouses supporting diabetes management, 4) evolution of diabetes and the relationship across developmental time, and 5) differences in diabetes management among couples. Older adults with type 1 diabetes and their spouses have different perspectives regarding diabetes support and responsibility and may not always realize what support is being provided or needed to optimize effective diabetes management. Advancing age with or without diabetes complications may necessitate that spouses provide diabetes support. Diabetes management training for spouses would likely be helpful.

Healthcare Transition Readiness, Family Support, and Self-management Competency in Korean Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

PurposeThe current study investigated factors related to healthcare transition readiness, including family support and self-management competency, in emerging adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Design and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 87 individuals, aged 16–24 years. Participants were recruited both from the outpatient clinic of Severance Children's Hospital, and an online self-help group for emerging adults with T1DM in South Korea. Participants reported perceived levels of family support, self-management competency, and healthcare transition readiness through a structured questionnaire. ResultsHealthcare transition readiness was positively correlated with family support (r = 0.257, p = .016) and self-management competency (r = 0.606, p < .001). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that only self-management competency was a significant factor associated with healthcare transition readiness (β = 0.699, p < .001). ConclusionsFor emerging adults with T1DM, ongoing family involvement in diabetes care and enhanced self-management competency can strengthen their healthcare transition readiness. Furthermore, primary factors associated with healthcare transition readiness in the present study were identified as self-management competency and participants' age. Practice implicationsHealthcare providers should assess and enhance healthcare transition readiness in emerging adults with T1DM. A primary method of addressing transition readiness is helping people strengthen their self-management competency.

Interprofessional collaboration in diabetes care: perceptions of family physicians practicing in or not in a primary health care team

BackgroundIn Canada, most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are cared for in the primary care setting in the practices of family physicians. This care is delivered through a variety of practice models ranging from a single practitioner to interprofessional team models of care. This study examined the extent to which family physicians collaborate with other health professionals in the care of patients with T2DM, comparing those who are part of an interprofessional health care team called a Primary Care Network (PCN) to those who are not part of a PCN.MethodsFamily physicians in Alberta, Canada were surveyed to ascertain: which health professionals they refer to or have collaborative arrangements with when caring for T2DM patients; satisfaction and confidence with other professionals’ involvement in diabetes care; and perceived effects of having other professionals involved in diabetes care. Chi-squared and Fishers Exact tests were used to test for differences between PCN and non-PCN physicians.Results170 (34%) family physicians responded to the survey, of whom 127 were PCN physicians and 41 were non-PCN physicians (2 not recorded). A significantly greater proportion of PCN physicians vs non-PCN physicians referred patients to pharmacists (23.6% vs 2.6%) or had collaborative working arrangements with diabetes educators (55.3% vs 18.4%), dietitians (54.5% vs 21.1%), or pharmacists (43.1% vs 21.1%), respectively. Regardless of PCN status, family physicians expressed greater satisfaction and confidence in specialists than in other family physicians or health professionals in medication management of patients with T2DM. Physicians who were affiliated with a PCN perceived that interprofessional collaboration enabled them to delegate diabetes education and monitoring and/or adjustment of medications to other health professionals and resulted in improved patient care.ConclusionsThis study sheds new insight on the influence that being part of a primary care team has on physicians’ practice. Specifically, supporting physicians’ access to other health professionals in the primary care setting is perceived to facilitate interprofessional collaboration in the care of patients with T2DM and improve patient care.

Psychosocial Benefits of Structured Support for Self-Care in Teens with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)—Results of an RCT

There are salient outcomes beyond A1c, including patient-reported outcomes, in the current era of diabetes interventions. The current study assessed psychosocial effects over 1 year in the Teenwork Study, an RCT utilizing text-messaging (TM) and problem solving (PS) interventions in a 2x2 factorial design, in teens with T1D. Teens ages 13-17 from 2 U.S. clinical sites were randomized to 4 groups: PS, TM, PS+TM, or usual care. The PS and PS+TM groups had quarterly intervention sessions with study staff targeting barriers and strategies to improve self-care related to BG monitoring and insulin administration. The TM and PS+TM groups received reminders to check BG levels at self-selected times from 1-4 times/day. All teens completed measures of affect around BG monitoring, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, parent involvement in diabetes care, diabetes-specific family conflict, diabetes distress, and general quality of life at baseline and 1 year. Changes in survey scores from 0 to 12 months were analyzed by group assignment, controlling for baseline scores. The sample included 281 teens ([M±SD] age 15.0±1.3 years, T1D duration 6.6±3.8 years, 4.6±1.9 BG checks/day, A1c 8.5±1.1%). Teens were 51% male, 78% white, and 80% from 2-parent families; 64% used pump therapy. At entry, groups had similar demographic and diabetes characteristics. After 1 year, all 4 groups had a significant increase in independent care behaviors (less parent involvement) (p&amp;lt;.001). Teens in the PS+TM group had decreases in diabetes family conflict (p=.009) and diabetes distress (p=.01). There were no changes in other psychosocial measures. Increased independent self-care across groups was likely developmentally driven. Combined PS+TM reduced teen-reported diabetes family conflict and diabetes distress. Providing problem-solving skills at quarterly visits with text reminders between visits together may serve to encourage and empower teens with T1D, thus improving their psychosocial outcomes. Disclosure P.V. Commissariat: None. L. Volkening: None. D.A. Butler: None. B. Anderson: Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi-Aventis. L.M. Laffel: Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi US, MannKind Corporation, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Dexcom, Inc., Insulet Corporation, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Johnson &amp; Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC..

The Experience of Partners of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: an Integrative Review

The purpose of this review was to synthesize the research on the experience of partners living with adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Eleven studies were included in the review. Three themes on the experience of living with a person with T1D were identified: the undercurrent of hypoglycemia, partners' involvement in diabetes care, and the impact on partners' lives. Due to considerable fear of hypoglycemia, partners had pervasive and deliberate ways in which they made attempts to minimize hypoglycemia in the person with diabetes and its cascade to a health emergency. As a result, partners of adults with T1D experienced considerable distress and disrupted lives. Partners also expressed a need for more support from family, friends, and health professionals. Research is needed on the partner experience across the lifespan and the specific supportive services they need in order to optimize their health outcomes.

Correlates and outcomes of worries about hypoglycemia in family members of adults with diabetes: The second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study

ObjectiveWe examined (a) the demographic and clinical correlates of worries about hypoglycemia in adult family members of adults with diabetes, and (b) the association of these worries with measures of diabetes support. MethodsThe second multinational Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study cross-sectionally surveyed 2057 family members from 17 countries. Participants completed questions about demographics, diabetes, and psychosocial functioning, including worry about overall and nocturnal hypoglycemia. Analyses included hierarchical ordinal and linear regression. ResultsEighty-five percent of family members (n=1661) were at least occasionally very worried about the risk of hypoglycemic events overall. Correlates of worries about hypoglycemia included female gender, higher age and lower education in the family member, younger age of the person with diabetes and this person being a parent or another adult (versus spouse or partner), insulin or non-insulin injectable treatment, severe or non-severe hypoglycemia in the past 12months, and family member recognition of hypoglycemia. Elevated worries about hypoglycemia had a significant independent association with increased odds of diabetes-related family arguments and family member frustration in providing helpful support (OR range 1.60–3.72). High levels of worries about hypoglycemia were associated with increased odds of attending diabetes-related health-care visits. Worries about hypoglycemia were not associated with family member involvement in diabetes care. Similar results were found for worries about nocturnal events. ConclusionWorries about hypoglycemia were common in family members and were associated with suboptimal diabetes support. This issue therefore deserves increased clinician attention.

Patient involvement in diabetes care: experiences in nine diabetes care groups.

Despite the expected beneficial effects on quality of care, patient involvement in diabetes care groups, which deliver a bundled paid integrated care programme for diabetes type 2, seems to be limited. The aim of this study was to gain insight into levels and methods of patient involvement, into facilitators and barriers, and into the future preferences of care groups and patient representatives. Semi-structured interviews were held with 10 representatives of care groups and 11 representatives of patient advocacy groups. An adapted version of Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation was used to define five levels of patient involvement. Patient involvement in care groups was mostly limited to informing and consulting patients. Higher levels, i.e., advising, co-producing and decision-making, were less frequently observed. Care groups and patient representatives perceived largely the same barriers and facilitators and had similar preferences regarding future themes and design of patient involvement. Constructive collaboration between diabetes care groups and patient representatives to enhance patient involvement in the future seems viable. Several issues such as the lack of evidence for effectiveness of patient involvement, differences in viewpoints on the role and responsibilities of care groups and perceived barriers need to be addressed.