Early conclusions
We aimed to find out if young children
can share in their diabetes care and talk
to us about it. Their ability to take part in
the research demonstrates their ability to
understand and take part in managing
their diabetes care. They gave clear
evidence of their competence, and some
parents mentioned their surprise that
their children were so able.
Yet although some children can be
highly responsible, this does not mean
they all either can be or want to be. Each
child may vary, sometimes wanting more
help, sometimes less, without following a
single pattern of growing independence.
And they might, for example, be expert
with needles or about calories, but not
want to talk much with their doctor.
Having found that it is very worthwhile
talking with younger children, we plan to
do a more thorough project with those
aged 3 - 8 years. We will allow more
time for participative research methods,
such as asking them to take photos and
draw maps, or to use toys to explain
their points as Jessie was doing when
she was quoted earlier.
We also aim to allow time to explore
children’s differing, sometimes
ambivalent views, and we will avoid
offering hasty conclusions at this stage.
Children and parents raised serious
questions for future research with larger
samples:
* Are there better ways to inform them,
offer them choices, support them after
diagnosis and over the following years?
* How can GPs, A&E and general
children’s ward staff improve their care?
* How can school and nursery staff
become more aware and respectful of
the children’s expertise?
* How can willing positive partnerships
between younger children and adults be
encouraged and problems be
prevented?
Children as partners in their diabetes
care: an exploratory research study
September - December 2003
Thank you to
All the boys and girls and their parents
who kindly took part in interviews,
to Dr Charles Buchanan, Dr Abdus
Mallik and Dr Jeremy Allgrove, and the
diabetes nurses Patricia Gillard and
Julie Richardson, and to the 3 R+D and
3 ethics committees for approving the
project.
Researchers
Katy Sutcliffe MSc Research Officer
Priscilla Alderson PhD Professor
SSRU - Social Science Research Unit
Institute of Education
University of London
18 Woburn Square
London WC1H ONR
Katherine Curtis MSc Research Fellow
Child Health Research and Policy Centre
Institute of Health City University
Funding:
SSRU Childhood Research Fund
Reports
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SSRU
Founded in 1990, SSRU conducts
research on users’ views about health,
education and welfare services.
SSRU’s Childhood Research and Policy
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network, courses and meetings, and an
MA in understanding and working for
children’s rights.