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Although many doctoral students wish to enter academic life, many lack the necessary understanding of how to prepare for and pursue this objective. Using both quantitative and qualitative analyses, we examined the structure and process of the tenure-track interview process within rehabilitation counselor education programs; how doctoral students can best prepare to secure a tenure-track faculty position; and how hiring committees might better facilitate the application and interview process for a tenure-track faculty position. A comprehensive and multifaceted review of participants' perceptions of their preparation and experiences in the interview process was undertaken. Results provide information and suggestions for rehabilitation counselor education programs and for individuals pursuing an academic position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2004 Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) standards were revised to include Human Growth and Development (HGD) as a knowledge domain. The HGD domain introduces a significant amount of new content to the curriculum, including several topics that have not traditionally appeared in the rehabilitation counselor educational curriculum. Thus, this domain presents both an educational challenge and an educational and professional opportunity. Our purposes in this article are to review the place of HGD in the CORE curriculum and in rehabilitation counseling practice; to describe the HGD knowledge domain and its educational outcomes; and to discuss educational perspectives on this knowledge domain in the preservice curriculum. We propose that the inclusion of the HGD domain provides an opportunity for improving professional practice and for exploring our current and future professional roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Recommendations from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) indicate that adolescents with type 1 diabetes should be treated with intensive therapy involving multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin or insulin pump therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [CSII] to help obtain better metabolic control and prevent later complications. Interest has thus focused on insulin pump therapy to help adolescents meet this challenge. The purpose of this study was to examine responses to CSII and MDI in a large group of adolescents with established type 1 diabetes during a 12-month period and to determine whether either treatment regimen more favorably affected clinical and psychosocial outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One-third of 75 youths aged 12-20 years who were candidates for intensive therapy chose CSII as their mode of treatment. Patients received intensive treatment and education as described by the DCCT investigators. Psychosocial data (e.g., quality of life, depression, self-efficacy, and coping) were collected at baseline and at 6-month intervals, and clinical data (e.g., HbA1c levels, adverse events) were collected every 4-6 weeks. RESULTS: Although both MDI- and CSII-treated adolescents initially exhibited improved metabolic control, this level of control was more difficult to sustain for 12 months in the MDI group (at 6 months HbA1c = 8.1, at 12 months HbA1c = 8.3), whereas average HbA1c levels in the CSII group continued to decrease during the 12 months of treatment (at 6 months HbA1c = 7.7, at 12 months HbA1c = 7.5). Despite lower HbA1c levels in CSII-versus MDI-treated patients, the rate of severe hypoglycemic events was reduced by almost 50% in the CSII group (P = 0.01). Self-reported questionnaires demonstrated that there was improvement in self-efficacy, depression, and quality of life in both MDI- and CSII-treated patients. Finally, adolescents using CSII found coping with diabetes to be less difficult than adolescents using MDI did. CONCLUSIONS: CSII is an alternative means to lower HbA1c levels and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia without adversely affecting psychosocial outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This study examined the metabolic and quality-of-life effects of using lispro insulin in teenagers. METHODS: Teenagers on multiple daily injections who had not reached metabolic treatment goals were offered the opportunity to use lispro insulin as part of a larger ongoing study of intensive management in youth. Of the 51 who were eligible, 35 used lispro and were followed for 12 months; the remaining 16 had reached treatment goals, were not offered lispro, and comprised the control group. RESULTS: After 12 months, the teens who received lispro insulin achieved equivalent levels of metabolic control to those achieved by teens in the control group, without differences in total daily dose, insulin regimen, or adverse events. Those who received lispro found coping with diabetes less difficult than those who continued on regular insulin, and they reported less negative impact of diabetes on quality of life and fewer worries about diabetes. Both groups were equally satisfied with their diabetes treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lispro insulin is a safe alternative for youth on intensive regimens, may assist youth in coping with diabetes, and may improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: This study examined the metabolic trend and factors associated with an unexpected rise in HbA1c levels during the summer, with a return to baseline when school resumed, in 40 intensively treated adolescents with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Psychosocial data were collected using a variety of diabetes evaluation instruments. HbA1c was measured monthly. RESULTS: HbA1c values increased by a mean of .73% from May to July and decreased by a mean of .75% from August to October. Lack of consistency in summer routines compared with school days was associated with a worsening in metabolic control during the summer months. Other factors associated with the summer increase in HbA1c included lower guidance scores on the Diabetes Family Behavior Scale, and higher impact and worry scores on the Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Interviews suggested that teenagers need to take a vacation from intensive diabetes care during the summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School-age children (N=43) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied to determine if the coping strategies they used were associated with their self-care management and/or with their metabolic control. Instruments used included the Schoolagers Coping Strategies Inventory and the Self-Care Questionnaire. Results indicated that the choice of coping strategies did not differ by demographic characteristics, and level of self-care was not associated with metabolic control. Participants used cognitive coping strategies most often; higher frequencies tended to be associated with higher levels of self-care and metabolic control. Those who utilized distracting strategies also tended to have higher levels of self-care. Emotional coping strategies tended to be related to poorer metabolic control. The use of coping strategies explained approximately 18% of the variance in metabolic control. These data suggest that healthcare providers should assess what coping strategies are employed by school-age children with diabetes because the choice of strategies may have a significant impact on their metabolic control. The use of strategies related to poorer metabolic control (eg, emotional strategies) should be discouraged, and the use of more effective strategies related to higher levels of self-care and metabolic control (eg, cognitive strategies) should be modeled and encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was initiated in a young female adolescent with severe insulin resistance, decreased growth velocity, and poor metabolic control. The patient's insulin dose had been 3 u/kg/day, and it was hypothesized that her insulin requirements would be much less when only regular insulin was used. Because of the potential risk of severe hypoglycemia from giving regular insulin in amounts equivalent to her injection total daily dose as a constant subcutaneous infusion, the patient was hospitalized to begin pump therapy. Hourly glucose levels were collected for 24 hours to determine insulin requirements with this therapy. The patient subsequently required a significantly reduced dose of insulin (1.2 u/kg/day) with CSII, and her growth velocity improved. Metabolic control based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels also improved. Insulin pump treatment proved to be a viable solution for this young adolescent who required large doses of insulin to maintain reasonable control. Challenges of using this type of therapy in young patients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the challenges and outcomes of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump therapy in a toddler and adolescent with type 1 diabetes. Insight into patient-family aspects motivating pump use is provided., Methods: Two cases treated at the Pediatric Diabetes Clinic at Yale University., Results: Upon parental request, CSII was initiated to improve glycemic control in a 4-year-old boy (case 1) with unpredictable food intake. During 68 months of CSII therapy, hemoglobin A1C levels averaged 6.3% +/- 0.6%. Severe hypoglycemic episodes ceased 36 months ago, and occasional postprandial hyperglycemia during early school years was corrected with school nurses' reminders about premeal insulin bolus doses. Currently 9.5 years old, he independently manages all his insulin injections with parental assistance only to change the catheter site. Case 2 is a girl who was nearly 12 years of age when diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Initially managed with daily injections, hypoglycemic episodes were interfering with her physically active lifestyle. At age 13 years, she elected CSII therapy, and glycemic control improved. Temporarily erratic in the immediate period pre- and postmenarche, metabolic control has since stabilized. At 15 years old, she successfully manages her diabetes independently., Conclusions: To optimize glycemic control, CSII can be initiated and used effectively, both in children of all ages and in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. CSII may be ideal therapy for toddlers, with no apparent lower age boundary for initiating CSII; however, the parenting challenges and requirements for supportive education differ between toddlers and adolescents. When disease and pump management are appropriately individualized, CSII therapy can help children with diabetes achieve and sustain glycemic control. Lifestyle flexibility, quality-of-life improvement, and independence can thus begin early in childhood and be maintained throughout young adulthood.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in a large group of patients 18 months to 18 yr from a single pediatric diabetes program., Research Design and Methods: All patients < or = 18 yr of age starting on CSII from 1 January 1997 to 31 March 2000 at the Yale Children's Diabetes Program were included. Clinical data were collected prospectively before and during pump treatment. HbA1c was the primary efficacy outcome and rates of diabetes-related adverse events were the primary safety measures., Results: One hundred and sixty-one children ranging in age from 18 months to 18 yr received CSII for an average of 32 +/- 9 months when data collection was closed on 31 October 2001, including 26 preschoolers (< 7 yr), 76 school-agers (7-11 yr) and 59 adolescents (12-18 yr). Mean HbA1c levels were 7.1% in the preschoolers, 7.8% in the school-agers and 8.1% in the adolescents prior to the start of CSII. There was a significant and consistent reduction in mean HbA1c levels after 12 months of CSII (to 6.5% in preschoolers, 7.3% in school-agers and 7.4% in adolescents, p < 0.02 vs. prepump) that was maintained at the most recent visit. Improved diabetes control was achieved with CSII without increasing daily insulin doses and in association with a decrease in the frequency of severe hypoglycemic events (p < 0.05 vs. prepump, all three age groups combined)., Conclusions: CSII is an effective alternative to injection therapy in a large pediatric diabetes clinic setting. Even very young patients can utilize CSII to safely lower HbA1c levels.

Purpose: To examine the following questions with regard to the initiation of a new intensive management program for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus: (a) What clinical and psychosocial factors are associated with achievement of metabolic control treatment goals after 1 year? and (b) What baseline clinical and psychosocial factors are associated with improvement in the quality of life after 12 months?, Methods: Eighty-one subjects (of 83 who began; aged 14.3 +/- 2.0 years at entry; 48 females, 33 males; 95% white; diabetes duration 8.9 +/- 3.9 years) with Type 1 diabetes completed 12 months of follow-up in a study of intensified treatment of diabetes. Assessments at baseline and at 12 months used the Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth scale, the Self-efficacy for Diabetes Scale, the Children's Depression Inventory, the Issues in Coping with Diabetes Scale, and the Diabetes Family Behavior Scale. Data were analyzed using multiple and logistic regression., Results: From a baseline of >9%, HbA1c levels decreased to a mean of 7.8 +/- 0.7%, with 30% of the subjects achieving our treatment goal of

Objective: To determine whether initial effects on metabolic control and quality of life associated with a behavioral intervention combined with intensive diabetes management (IDM) can be sustained over 1 year in youth implementing intensive therapy regimens., Study Design: Seventy-seven patients (43 females, 95% white) 12 to 20 years (mean = 14.2 +/- 1.9; duration, 8.7 +/- 3.9) electing to initiate IDM were randomly assigned to one of two groups: with or without coping skills training (CST), which consists of 6 small group sessions and monthly follow-up to help youth cope with their lives in the context of diabetes management; skills included social problem solving, cognitive behavior modification, and conflict resolution. Data were collected before the intervention and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention by using the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale, Children's Depression Inventory, Issues in Coping with IDDM, and the Diabetes Quality of Life: Youth scales. Clinical data (glycosylated hemoglobin level, height, weight, adverse effects) were collected monthly., Results: The CST and IDM groups were comparable at baseline. CST subjects had lower glycosylated hemoglobin (P =.001) and better diabetes (P =.002) and medical (P =. 04) self-efficacy, and less impact of diabetes on their quality of life (P =.005) than youth receiving IDM alone after 1 year. In males, CST did not affect adverse outcomes of IDM hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and weight gain, but CST decreased the incidence of weight gain (P =.05) and hypoglycemia in females (P =.03)., Conclusions: The addition of behavioral intervention to IDM in adolescence results in improved metabolic control and quality of life over 1 year.

The purpose of this study was to determine if a behavioral intervention (coping skills training [CST]) combined with intensive diabetes management can improve the metabolic control and quality of life in adolescents who are implementing intensive therapy. A total of 77 youths (age range, 12.5-20 years) who were beginning intensive insulin therapy were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intensive management with CST or without CST. CST consists of a series of small group efforts designed to teach problem solving skills and communication. Data were collected preintervention and at 3 and 6 months post-intervention by using established clinical and psychosocial indicators. Randomization produced equivalent groups. After 6 months, subjects who received CST had better metabolic control (F = 3.89, p = .02) and better general self-efficacy (F = 4.54, p = 0.01). They reported less negative impact of diabetes on their quality of life (F = 4.55, p = .01) and had fewer worries about diabetes (F = 3.82, p = .02). Thus, nurses may find CST useful in assisting youths with diabetes to achieve metabolic and quality of life goals.

Objective: Quality of life is an important criterion for assessing outcomes of treatment in chronic illness related to psychosocial well-being. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence quality of life in adolescents with IDDM., Research Design and Methods: Self-reports were obtained from 52 adolescents (age 13-20 years, mean 16.1 +/- 1.9 [mean +/- SD], diabetes duration 8.2 +/- 3.4 years, 49% female) using the following scales: Diabetes Quality of Life for Youths, Children's Depression Inventory, Issues in Coping with Diabetes, Diabetes Family Behavior Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion, Self-Efficacy for Diabetes, and the Adolescent Coping Orientation. Metabolic control was measured by HbA1c., Results: Teenagers whose diabetes had the greater impact (R2 = 0.48) and were less satisfied (R2 = 0.45) felt that management was more difficult (r = 0.56) and that diabetes was more upsetting (r = 0.63). They also used fewer rebellion strategies for coping (r = -0.44), had lower diabetes self-efficacy (r = -0.36), and had more depressive symptoms (r = 0.61). Higher impact was also associated with higher family warmth and caring (r = -0.54) and lower family adaptability (r = -0.42). Teenagers who were more worried (R2 = 0.37) about their diabetes felt that management was more difficult (r = 0.40) and that diabetes was more upsetting (r = 0.58), and they used less rebellion (r = -0.49) and more ventilation (r = 0.42) to cope, had lower diabetes (r = -0.40) and medical (r = -0.30) self-efficacy, were more depressed (r = 0.55), and their families were less warm and caring (r = -0.33). HbA1c levels were not associated with quality of life or any other psychosocial factors except in teenagers who perceived their families as providing more guidance and control. These teenagers had lower HbA1c values than those whose families were less involved., Conclusions: Even teenagers who are successfully achieving HbA1c goals of therapy may perceive diabetes as having a negative impact on their lives, be depressed, and find diabetes difficult to manage. Diabetes treatment teams need to pay equal attention to the psychosocial needs to the quiet, nonrebellious teen with well-controlled diabetes from a supportive family as they do to the rebellious adolescent with poorly controlled diabetes.

Objective: Given the urgent need to develop effective programs that improve the ability for adolescents to achieve metabolic control equivalent to programs studied in the Diabetes. Control and Complications Trial, we have undertaken a clinical trial to determine if a behavioral intervention (coping skills training [CST]) combined with intensive diabetes management can improve metabolic control and quality of life in adolescents implementing intensive therapy regimens., Research Design and Methods: A total of 65 youths between the ages of 13 and 20 years, who elected to initiate intensive insulin therapy, were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the intensive management with CST group and the intensive management without CST group. CST consists of a series of small group efforts designed to teach adolescents the coping skills of social problem-solving, social skills training, cognitive behavior modification, and conflict resolution. Data were collected at pre-intervention and at 3 months following the use of the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes scale, Children's Depression Inventory, Issues in Coping with IDDM scale, and the Diabetes Quality of Life: Youth scale. Clinical data (HbA1c, adverse effects) were collected monthly., Results: The experimental and control groups were comparable on all measures at baseline. Results show that adolescents who received CST had lower HbA1c and better diabetes self-efficacy and were less upset about coping with diabetes than adolescents receiving intensive management alone. In addition, adolescents who received the CST found it easier to cope with diabetes and experienced less of a negative impact of diabetes on quality of life than those who did not receive CST., Conclusions: CST is useful in improving not only an adolescent's metabolic control, but also their quality of life. As more pediatric providers aim for improved control, in adolescents with diabetes, the addition of this behavioral intervention may be helpful in achieving metabolic and life goals.

Purpose: To review the potential use and application of coping-skills training in teaching adolescents effective ways of managing the stressors related to living with diabetes mellitus., Population: Adolescents ages 13 to 20 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus who are participating in the research project, "Nursing Intervention to Implement DCCT Therapy in Youth" at Yale University School of Nursing., Conclusions: Teaching adolescents with diabetes mellitus to use appropriate coping skills may help them cope with the day-to-day management of the illness and aid in long-term adaptation., Practice Implications: Research has suggested that the use of effective coping skills may aid in healthy long-term adaptation to diabetes mellitus. Thus, nurses caring for adolescents with this illness should teach and be role models for these effective coping strategies.