title: 'Somebody there to watch over you': the role of the family in everyday and emergency diabetes care.
abstract: This paper reports on the role of family members in everyday diabetes self-care and in diabetic crises. It is based on qualitative data drawn from 45 semi-structured interviews with a wide range of people with an established diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, who were admitted to hospital for urgent or emergency treatment in connection with their diabetes. The interviews were carried out in two contrasting sites in the United Kingdom in 2009-2010, transcribed and analysed thematically with particular reference to framework analysis methods. We found that family involvement in self-care was common, and the role of family and friends was especially important when the person with diabetes needed urgent help. We comment on the diversity of family members who assisted regularly or dealt with crises, the importance of taking account of the complexities of family life, including reciprocal care, and the particular problems faced by people without family support. Finally, we make recommendations for further research and for improvements in existing services.
authors: Royal College of Nursing Research Institute, School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. kathleen.gunn@warwick.ac.uk
authors: Kathleen L
authors: KL
authors: Gunn
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Seers
authors: Natasha
authors: N
authors: Posner
authors: Vivien
authors: V
authors: Coates
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012380:Role; D012648:Self Care; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult