title: Young people's experiences of managing asthma and diabetes at school.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences and concerns of young people and their parents regarding the management of medication for asthma or diabetes whilst at school.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 69 young people aged 8-15 years (43 with asthma and 26 with diabetes) and their parents (138 interviews in total) in their own homes. Respondents were recruited through randomly selected general practice surgeries in contrasting areas in South East England. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using established qualitative analytical procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Young people with asthma and diabetes discussed difficulties regarding access to and use of their medicines at school which may jeopardise optimal condition management. School medicines policies could be a further hindrance. Young people endeavour to find ways to accommodate their medication and condition related needs whilst at school, in an attempt to limit the impact of their condition upon school activities such as sport, school trips and relationships with peers. Parents expressed concern regarding the awareness and levels of support available to their sons/daughters, in particular if a crisis should develop.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to ensure optimal care, there is a need for the development of protocols tailored to the needs of young people with different conditions. These should preferably be devised in partnership between the young person, their parents and the school to ensure that the flexibility and support required for optimal management are offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of London, London, UK. jennifer.newbould@pharmacy.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newbould
authors.forename: S-A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000379:methods; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012574:Schools; D012646:Self Administration / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents