Therapeutic play to teach children with type 1 diabetes insulin self-injection: A pilot trial in a developing country.

PURPOSE: Child participation in type 1 diabetes (T1D) self-care is needed in developing countries due to a lack of resources, especially during the school day. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a therapeutic play intervention (ITP) versus standard education (SE) on the ability of children with T1D to correctly perform insulin injection technique. DESIGN AND METHODS: Children with T1D (7-12 years) were recruited at two diabetes clinics in Brazil and randomized to ITP or SE. Registered nurses received protocol training to deliver the intervention and perform data collection. ITP group received an education that included a story about a child with T1D who self-injects insulin at school; SE group received routine clinic-based education. Preintervention, children were video-recorded giving insulin injections to a doll; postintervention, children were rerecorded giving the doll an injection. The research team reviewed the videos and assessed the injection technique using validated checklists. Parents reported children's self-injection practices at baseline and 30 days. RESULTS: Children (N = 20, 40% male) were 9.6 ± 1.3 years old and had T1D for 3.6 ± 2.3 years; HbA1c was 9.1 ± 2.0%; 20% of ITP and 50% of SE children used syringes (vs. pens) for injections. At baseline, 80% of both groups knew how to self-inject; most were taught by a parent/relative. Injection technique scores were low in both groups; ITP group increased their scores significantly postintervention. Practices of self-injection did not change in either group after 30 days. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The play-based intervention appeared to improve the injection technique in the short-term. Pilot findings support the development of a larger trial to evaluate the effectiveness of ITP on educating children on insulin injections.

Health Care Transition in Type 1 Diabetes: Perspectives of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists Caring for Young Adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe experiences reported by diabetes care and education specialists caring for young adults with type 1 diabetes and to assess perceived deficiencies in clinical resources and barriers to care delivery. METHODS: A 60-item electronic survey was fielded through email to members of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES). Respondents completed a survey consisting of: (1) clinical practice characteristics and respondents' demographics; (2) health care transition components (eg, referrals) and their perceived importance; (3) framework of current clinical diabetes care delivery and perceived need for additional support; and (4) perceived barriers regarding clinical care delivery. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Respondents (N = 531, 96% female, median years in practice = 13; interquartile range = 7-20) represented 49 states plus the District of Columbia. Although 88% of respondents reported reviewing pediatric records as important/very important, only 22% often/always reviewed them. Although 58% of respondents noted easy access to mental health care providers for young adults, 50% stated a need for additional resources. Furthermore, diabetes care and education specialists without easy access to mental health professionals were significantly more likely to report barriers to diabetes management for young adults with depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and developmental disabilities. CONCLUSION: Study findings highlight modifiable factors that may improve diabetes care coordination for transitioning young adults. Uniform approaches and increased access to trained mental health professionals may help support diabetes care and education specialists in their care of young adults with type 1 diabetes.