The paediatric diabetes specialist nurse and diabetes education in childhood.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the job title, work setting, qualifications and training of the paediatric diabetes specialist nurse (PDSN) as well as to examine the composition of the multidisciplinary diabetes team. It also aimed to determine who is involved in diabetes education and to explore the teaching methods, approaches, tools and materials that the PDSN uses in the educational process.


METHODS
A survey design was used. Questionnaires, which combined quantitative and qualitative approaches, were sent to 80 participants from eight opportunistically selected regions of the United Kingdom (UK). Access to names and addresses was gained through the directory of diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs). The selection criteria were nurses working full-time with children with diabetes or having children with diabetes on their caseloads. The overall response rate was 66 (82.5%).


RESULTS
The study findings showed that the majority of the respondents were based in both hospital and community, held paediatric qualifications and had undertaken further training to prepare as diabetes specialists. Respondents used a wide range of teaching methods and materials in the educational process. A substantial number of individuals and voluntary organizations were also involved in diabetes education.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study support the belief that the PDSN, as a member of the multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes team, has a key role in the education of children with diabetes and their parents/carers. However, the importance of the team approach as a whole should not be underestimated.
School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, UK. s.llahana@ulst.ac.uk
S V
SV
Llahana
B C
BC
Poulton
V E
VE
Coates
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D006113:United Kingdom