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Katharine C Garvey,1,5 Margaret G Beste,2 Donna Luff,3,5 Astrid Atakov-Castillo,2 Howard A Wolpert,2,5 Marilyn D Ritholz4–61Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 2Adult Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA; 3Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 4Behavioral and Mental Health Unit, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, USA; 5Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 6Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USAObjective: This qualitative study aimed to explore the experience of transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care reported by posttransition emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with a focus on preparation for the actual transfer in care.Methods: Twenty-six T1D emerging adults (mean age 26.2±2.5 years) receiving adult diabetes care at a single center participated in five focus groups stratified by two levels of current glycemic control. A multidisciplinary team coded transcripts and conducted thematic analysis.Results: Four key themes on the process of transfer to adult care emerged from a thematic analysis: 1) nonpurposeful transition (patients reported a lack of transition preparation by pediatric providers for the transfer to adult diabetes care); 2) vulnerability in the college years (patients conveyed periods of loss to follow-up during college and described health risks and diabetes management challenges specific to the college years that were inadequately addressed by pediatric or adult providers); 3) unexpected differences between pediatric and adult health care systems (patients were surprised by the different feel of adult diabetes care, especially with regards to an increased focus on diabetes complications); and 4) patients’ wish list for improving the transition process (patients recommended enhanced pediatric transition counseling, implementation of adult clinic orientation programs, and peer support for transitioning patients).Conclusion: Our findings identify modifiable deficiencies in the T1D transition process and underscore the importance of a planned transition with enhanced preparation by pediatric clinics as well as developmentally tailored patient orientation in the adult clinic setting.Keywords: young adults, chronic illness, type 1 diabetes mellitus, transition to adult care

Objective: Nearly one-half of diabetic patients have glycated hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) levels above recommended targets. Effective physician-patient communication improves glycemia and diabetes self-care; however, communication gaps may exist that prevent patients from discussing self-care problems with treatment providers.Research Design and Methods: We assessed diabetic patients' (n = 316, 85% white, 51% female, 71% type 2 diabetes, 59 ± 11 years old, 16 ± 3 years education, 19 ± 13 years diabetes duration, and HbA(1c) = 7.9 ± 1.4%) HbA(1c), frequency of self-care, diabetes-related distress, depressive and anxiety symptoms, coping styles, diabetes quality of life, and self-care communication in the treatment relationship. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the main and interaction effects of health and psychosocial factors associated with patients' reluctance to discuss self-care.Results: Patients reported positive relationships with their doctors and valued honest communication; however, 30% of patients were reluctant to discuss self-care. Reluctant patients reported less frequent self-care (P = 0.05), lower diabetes quality of life (P = 0.002), and more diabetes-related distress (P = 0.001), depressive symptoms (P < 0.001), and anxiety symptoms (P = 0.001). Patients who reported elevated depressive symptoms, although not necessarily major depression, were more likely to be reluctant to discuss self-care (odds ratio [OR] 1.66 for 10-point change in t score; P < 0.001), whereas patients who were older (OR 0.78 for 10-year change; P = 0.05) and those who used more self-controlled coping styles (OR 0.78 for 10-point change; P = 0.007) were less likely to be reluctant.Conclusions: Awareness of elevated depressive symptoms is important in clinical practice given that these patients may be more reluctant to discuss self-care. Interventions and evidence-based approaches are needed to improve both depressive symptoms and physician-patient communication about self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore physicians' awareness of and responses to type 2 diabetic patients' social and emotional difficulties.Research Design and Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 19 physicians. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Three themes emerged: 1) physicians' awareness of patients' social and emotional difficulties: physicians recognized the frequency and seriousness of patients' social and emotional difficulties; 2) physicians' responses to patients' social and emotional difficulties: many reported that intervening with these difficulties was challenging with few treatment options beyond making referrals, individualizing care, and recommending more frequent follow-up visits; and 3) the impact of patients' social and emotional difficulties on physicians: few available patient treatment options, time constraints, and a perceived lack of psychological expertise contributed to physicians' feeling frustrated, inadequate, and overwhelmed.Conclusions: Recognition and understanding of physicians' challenges when treating diabetes patients' social and emotional difficulties are important for developing programmatic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression can exacerbate diabetes by impairing self-care behaviors and increasing the risk of complication; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Given the suggested associations between walking activity, depression status, and blood glucose levels this study explores the intricate relationship between depression and blood glucose (BG) control, with a focus on walking activity as a behavioral mediator. The purpose of this study is to examine walking activity's mediating role in depression's impact on BG levels, investigating and validating the non-linear association between BG levels and walking activity. This retrospective real-world study demonstrates the potential of regular walking activity as a simple and accessible intervention to mitigate the negative effects of depression on BG levels in T2D and prediabetes., Methods: A cohort of 989 users with T2D and prediabetes, who regularly tracked their steps levels and BG levels for 12 months using the Dario digital health platform was evaluated. The mediating role of the monthly average number of steps on the relationship between the self-reported depression status and lagged monthly average BG was assessed. Additionally, the association between monthly walking activity and monthly average BG was tested using a piecewise linear mixed effects model., Results: Users with self-reported depression demonstrated increased BG levels compared to users without depression (B=8.00, P=.01). The association between depression and monthly average number of steps was significant (B=-.27, P<.005) and monthly average number of steps significantly predicted the following months' average BG (B=-.81, P=.001), adjusting for depression. The monthly average number of steps significantly mediated the effect of self-reported depression on the following month's average BG (M=.22, P<.005). Further sensitivity analysis demonstrated model robustness over various periods. Finally, non-linear dynamics of walking activity over time was validated using unseen data showing a decrease in monthly average BG for users with over an average of 400 steps per day (B=-1.87, P<.01)., Discussion: This study shows how regular walking may reduce the negative impact of depression on BG levels in people with T2D. Our findings advocate for the integration of walking activity into treatment protocols as a cost-effective, accessible intervention strategy to improve glycemic management and depressive symptoms in this population., Competing Interests: YF-H, IB, and OM are employees at Dario Health. MR and DH serve as Dario Health scientific advisory board members. PG has received a consulting fee to assist with analyses but otherwise has no conflict of interest. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fundoiano-Hershcovitz, Breuer Asher, Kantor, Rahmon, Ritholz, Horwitz, Manejwala and Goldstein.)

This qualitative study examined adults' recollections of their reactions to their diabetes diagnosis and explored the similarities and differences among those diagnosed with type 1 versus type 2 diabetes. Based on semistructured interviews, the authors identified three themes: 1 ) shared emotional reactions of fear, sadness, confusion, and worry; 2 ) perceived differences in expressing concerns for diabetes complications; and 3 ) differences in perceiving the diagnosis as a surprise versus an inevitability. How health care professionals (HCPs) deliver diabetes diagnoses may be crucial to individuals' acceptance of the condition and coping strategies. HCPs should consider assessing people's emotional reactions to their diagnosis., Competing Interests: No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported., (©2024 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Background: The management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity, particularly in the context of self-monitoring, remains a critical challenge in health care. As nearly 80% to 90% of patients with T2D have overweight or obesity, there is a compelling need for interventions that can effectively manage both conditions simultaneously. One of the goals in managing chronic conditions is to increase awareness and generate behavioral change to improve outcomes in diabetes and related comorbidities, such as overweight or obesity. There is a lack of real-life evidence to test the impact of self-monitoring of weight on glycemic outcomes and its underlying mechanisms., Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of digital self-monitoring of weight on blood glucose (BG) levels during diabetes management, investigating whether the weight changes may drive glucose fluctuations., Methods: In this retrospective, real-world quasi-randomized study, 50% of the individuals who regularly used the weight monitoring (WM) feature were propensity score matched with 50% of the users who did not use the weight monitoring feature (NWM) based on demographic and clinical characteristics. All the patients were diagnosed with T2D and tracked their BG levels. We analyzed monthly aggregated data 6 months before and after starting their weight monitoring. A piecewise mixed model was used for analyzing the time trajectories of BG and weight as well as exploring the disaggregation effect of between- and within-patient lagged effects of weight on BG., Results: The WM group exhibited a significant reduction in BG levels post intervention (P<.001), whereas the nonmonitoring group showed no significant changes (P=.59), and both groups showed no differences in BG pattern before the intervention (P=.59). Furthermore, the WM group achieved a meaningful decrease in BMI (P<.001). Finally, both within-patient (P<.001) and between-patient (P=.008) weight variability was positively associated with BG levels. However, 1-month lagged back BMI was not associated with BG levels (P=.36)., Conclusions: This study highlights the substantial benefits of self-monitoring of weight in managing BG levels in patients with diabetes, facilitated by a digital health platform, and advocates for the integration of digital self-monitoring tools in chronic disease management. We also provide initial evidence of testing the underlying mechanisms associated with BG management, underscoring the potential role of patient empowerment., (©‪Yifat Fundoiano-Hershcovitz, Marilyn D Ritholz, David L Horwitz, Ephraim Behar, Omar Manejwala, Pavel Goldstein. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 02.04.2024.)

Background: Stress is an emotional response caused by external triggers and is a high-prevalence global problem affecting mental and physical health. Several different digital therapeutic solutions are effective for stress management. However, there is limited understanding of the association between relaxation components and stress levels when using a digital app., Objective: This study investigated the contribution of relaxation tools to stress levels over time. We hypothesized that participation in breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy-based video sessions would be associated with a reduction in stress levels. We also hypothesized a significant reduction specifically in participants' perceived sense of burden and lack of productivity when engaged with breathing exercises and video sessions., Methods: Stress levels were evaluated in a real-world data cohort using a behavioral health app for digital intervention and monitoring change. This retrospective real-world analysis of users on a mobile platform-based treatment followed users (N=490) who started with moderate and above levels of stress and completed at least 2 stress assessments. The levels of stress were tracked throughout the first 10 weeks. A piecewise mixed effects model was applied to model the trajectories of weekly stress mean scores in 2 time segments (1-6 weeks and 6-10 weeks). Next, a simple slope analysis was used for interpreting interactions probing the moderators: breathing exercises and video sessions. Piecewise mixed-effects models were also used to model the trajectories of specific perceived stress item rates in the stress questionnaire in the 2 segments (1-6 weeks and 6-10 weeks) and whether they are moderated by the relaxation engagements. Simple slope analysis was also used here for the interpretation of the interactions., Results: Analysis revealed a significant decrease in stress symptoms (β=-.25; 95% CI -0.32 to -0.17; P<.001) during the period of 1-6 weeks of app use that was maintained during the period of 6-10 weeks. Breathing exercises significantly moderated the reduction in stress symptoms during the period of 1-6 weeks (β=-.07; 95% CI -0.13 to -0.01; P=.03), while engagement in digital video sessions did not moderate stress scores. Engagement in digital video sessions, as well as breathing exercises, significantly moderated the reduction in perceived sense of burden and lack of productivity during weeks 1-6 and remained stable during weeks 6-10 on both items., Conclusions: This study sheds light on the association between stress level reduction and specific components of engagement in a digital health app, breathing exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy-based video sessions. Our findings provide a basis for further investigation of current and moderating factors that contribute to the personalization of digital intervention. In addition, results may aid in developing a more comprehensive understanding of how digital intervention tools work for mental health and for whom they are most effective., (©Inbar Breuer-Asher, Marilyn D Ritholz, David L Horwitz, Omar Manejwala, Ephraim Behar, Yifat Fundoiano-Hershcovitz. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 19.03.2024.)

Background: Depression and anxiety are the main sources of work and social disabilities as well as health-related problems around the world. Digital therapeutic solutions using cognitive behavioral therapy have demonstrated efficacy in depression and anxiety. A common goal of digital health apps is to increase user digital engagement to improve outcomes. However, there is a limited understanding of the association between digital platform components and clinical outcomes., Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the contribution of specific digital engagement tools to mental health conditions. We hypothesized that participation in coaching sessions and breathing exercises would be associated with a reduction in depression and anxiety., Methods: Depression and general anxiety symptoms were evaluated in real-world data cohorts using the digital health platform for digital intervention and monitoring change. This retrospective real-world analysis of users on a mobile platform-based treatment followed two cohorts of people: (1) users who started with moderate levels of depression and completed at least 2 depression assessments (n=519) and (2) users who started with moderate levels of anxiety and completed at least 2 anxiety assessments (n=474). Levels of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) were tracked throughout the first 16 weeks. A piecewise mixed-effects model was applied to model the trajectories of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 mean scores in 2 segments (1-6 weeks and 7-16 weeks). Finally, simple slope analysis was used for the interpretation of the interactions probing the moderators: coaching sessions and breathing exercises in both depression and anxiety cohorts., Results: Analysis revealed a significant decrease in depression symptoms (β=-.37, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.28; P≤.001) during the period of weeks 1-6 of app use, which was maintained during the period of 7-16 weeks. Coach interaction significantly moderated the reduction in depression symptoms during the period of weeks 1-6 (β=-.03, 95% CI -0.05 to -0.001; P=.02). A significant decrease in anxiety symptoms (β=-.41, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.33; P≤.001) was revealed during the period of 1-6 weeks, which was maintained during the period of 7-16 weeks. Breathing exercises significantly moderated the reduction in anxiety symptoms during the period of 1-6 weeks (β=-.07, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.01; P=.04)., Conclusions: This study demonstrated general improvement followed by a period of stability of depression and anxiety symptoms associated with cognitive behavioral therapy-based digital intervention. Interestingly, engagement with a coaching session but not a breathing exercise was associated with a reduction in depression symptoms. Moreover, breathing exercise but not engagement with a coaching session was associated with a reduction of anxiety symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of using a personalized approach to behavioral health during digital health interventions., (©Yifat Fundoiano-Hershcovitz, Inbar Breuer Asher, Marilyn D Ritholz, Eitan Feniger, Omar Manejwala, Pavel Goldstein. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 22.09.2023.)

Background: The detrimental effects of weight stigma are a growing concern as a contributor to negative physical and mental health outcomes, disparities in care, and healthcare avoidance. Research exploring the impact of weight-neutral healthcare is limited but suggests weight-neutral interventions are associated with positive psychological and behavioral outcomes. Little is known about patients' lived experiences receiving weight-neutral healthcare., Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews between Feb 5, 2019 and Feb 25, 2020 with 21 women (90% non-Hispanic white, mean age 49 ± 14.8 years) who had type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and high body weight (mean body mass index 43.8 ± 8.4, range: 30.2-63.9) and previously attended a specialized treatment program for binge eating disorder. We recruited individuals with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who completed of >2 weeks of a specialized binge eating disorder treatment program with the ability to participate in an English-spoken interview and did not have cognitive impairment or severe psychopathology that would limit recall or engagement in the interview. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and Nvivo software. The main outcome we studied was patients' lived experience in healthcare settings and in a weight-neutral eating disorder treatment program., Findings: Participants reported experiencing weight stigma in healthcare encounters and believed this decreased the quality of care they received. While participants frequently attempted to lose weight, they experienced embarrassment, internalized a sense of failure, and felt blamed for their weight and health conditions. In describing experiences within a weight-neutral paradigm, participants reported that helpful elements included consistency in the eating pattern (emphasizing adequate, varied, and nourishing intake), sufficient and specific education, and comprehensive support. Reported impacts included decreased binge episodes, experiencing less shame, and increased resiliency following treatment. Some participants experienced the weight-neutral treatment recommendations and the absence of the pursuit of weight loss as challenging., Interpretation: Weight-neutral treatment may improve psychological and behavioral outcomes regarding binge eating, and longitudinal, quantitative research is warranted. These findings are useful to decrease weight stigma in provider-patient interactions., Funding: The Dudley Allen Sargent Research Fund, Boston University., Competing Interests: KLEC is an employee of Walden Behavioral Care, and PAQ is a Senior Consultant to Walden Behavioral Care's Department of Nutrition. MDR is a scientific advisory board member for DarioHealth and a board member at Ohio University Diabetes Institute. MGS declares no competing interests., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Background: The overlap in prevalence between type 2 diabetes and binge eating disorder is substantial, with adverse physical and mental health consequences. Little is known about patients' efforts at managing these two conditions simultaneously. The research objective was to explore patients' experiences managing co-existing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and binge eating disorder., Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews. Participants included 21 women with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes (90% non-Hispanic White; mean age 49 ± 14.8 years, mean BMI 43.8 ± 8.4; 48% with type 2 diabetes and mean HbA1c was 8.4%). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo software., Results: Qualitative analysis revealed that participants reported binge episodes frequently started in childhood or adolescence and went undiagnosed for decades; notably, they recalled that diabetes diagnosis preceded the binge eating disorder diagnosis. They also described trying to lose weight throughout their lives and how feelings of deprivation, shame, and failure exacerbated binge eating. Participants further reported how binge eating made diabetes self-care and outcomes worse. Finally, participants observed that when binge eating disorder treatment and diabetes management were synergistically integrated, they experienced improvements in both binge eating and glycemic outcomes. This integration included reframing negative thoughts surrounding binge eating disorder and diabetes self-management and increasing their understanding of how the two disorders were inter-related., Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of increasing healthcare providers' awareness of and screening for binge eating disorder in the treatment of diabetes and inform specific integrated interventions that address both diagnoses. From this study where we interviewed 21 women with binge eating disorder (BED) and type 2 diabetes/prediabetes, we learned how binge eating impacted diabetes management and how diabetes impacted BED. Most participants reported receiving the diabetes diagnosis before being diagnosed with BED despite the earlier onset of binge eating, pointing to the need for BED screening. Participants described trying to lose weight throughout their lives and reported feelings of failure and shame, which made binge eating worse. Binge eating made diabetes management harder, but when diabetes and BED treatment were aligned, participants experienced improvements in binge symptoms and diabetes outcomes., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Aims: To explore the lived experiences of diabetes distress (DD) in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and to identify similarities and differences in these experiences., Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with people with type 1 (n = 19) and type 2 diabetes (n = 29). We conducted thematic analysis using NVivo 12 software., Results: We identified three themes: (1) Experiencing Diabetes Distress as a Lack of Control - Similarities: All participants voiced a perceived lack of control with their glucose levels and other peoples' misconceptions about diabetes. Differences: Nearly all type 1 participants described a "lack of control" over emotional reactions to hypo- and hyperglycaemia as opposed to only one type 2 participant. (2) Experiencing Diabetes Distress as a Burden of Constant Management - Similarities: All participants emphasized the nonstop, relentless nature of diabetes management. Differences: type 1 participants described self-care as vital, with life-threatening consequences if not performed, while type 2 participants did not perceive such dangerous consequences. (3) Understanding the Value of Social Support in Diabetes Distress - Similarities: All participants acknowledged the importance of having others recognize the difficulties of living with diabetes. Differences: type 1 participants noted actual experiences where peers and health care professionals acknowledged that burden, whereas type 2 participants expressed a desire for this support that was not present in their lives., Conclusions: Findings revealed subtle differences in perceptions of DD among adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which suggest a need to tailor treatment for people with each type of diabetes., (© 2022 Diabetes UK.)

Background: Remote data capture for blood glucose (BG) or blood pressure (BP) monitoring and the use of a supportive digital app are becoming the model in diabetes and hypertension chronic care. One of the goals in chronic condition management is to increase awareness and generate behavioral change in order to improve outcomes in diabetes and related comorbidities, such as hypertension. In addition, there is a lack of understanding of the association between BG and BP levels when using digital health tools., Objective: By applying a rigorous study framework to digital health data, this study investigated the relationship between BP monitoring and BG and BP levels, as well as a lagged association between BP and BG. We hypothesized that during the first 6 months of BP monitoring, BG and BP levels would decrease. Finally, we suggested a positive association between BP levels and the following month's BG levels., Methods: In this retrospective, real-world case-control study, we extracted the data of 269 people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who tracked their BG levels using the Dario digital platform for a chronic condition. We analyzed the digital data of the users who, in addition to BG, monitored their BP using the same app (BP-monitoring [BPM] group, n=137) 6 months before and after starting their BP monitoring. Propensity score matching established a control group, no blood pressure monitoring (NBPM, n=132), matched on demographic and baseline clinical measures to the BPM group. A piecewise mixed model was used for analyzing the time trajectories of BG, BP, and their lagged association., Results: Analysis revealed a significant difference in BG time trajectories associated with BP monitoring in BPM and NBPM groups (t=-2.12, P=.03). The BPM group demonstrated BG reduction improvement in the monthly average BG levels during the first 6 months (t=-3.57, P<.001), while BG did not change for the NBPM group (t=0.39, P=.70). Both groups showed similarly stable BG time trajectories (B=0.98, t=1.16, P=.25) before starting the use of the BP-monitoring system. In addition, the BPM group showed a significant reduction in systolic (t=-6.42, P<.001) and diastolic (t=-4.80, P<.001) BP during the first 6 months of BP monitoring. Finally, BG levels were positively associated with systolic (B=0.24, t=2.77, P=.001) and diastolic (B=0.30, t=2.41, P=.02) BP., Conclusions: The results of this study shed light on the association between BG and BP levels and on the role of BP self-monitoring in diabetes management. Our findings also underscore the need and provide a basis for a comprehensive approach to understanding the mechanism of BP regulation associated with BG., (©‪Yifat Fundoiano-Hershcovitz, Dror Bacher, Marilyn D Ritholz, David L Horwitz, Omar Manejwala, Pavel Goldstein. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 08.02.2022.)

Background: Social support may buffer or decrease the negative effects of diabetes distress (DD) and depressive symptoms on diabetes outcomes. We assessed the buffering role of social support in the relationship between DD and self-care and depressive symptoms and self-care in adults with Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D) diabetes., Methods: Participants completed the Diabetes Distress Scale for T2D or T1D, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey and the Self-Care Inventory-Revised. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression models using SPSS version 26.0., Results: A total of 325 adults (median age = 40.5 years, 62.2% women, 86.5% White; 59.7% T2D, A1C = 59 ± 6 mmol/mol or 7.5 ± 1.6%; median duration = 11.0 years) participated. Greater social support buffered the negative effects of DD on self-care (R 2 Δ = 0.015, p = 0.024) as well as depressive symptoms on self-care (R 2 Δ = 0.024, p = 0.004) in participants with T1D and T2D. Both regression models recorded medium effect sizes (F 2  = 0.220, F 2  = 0.234 respectively). Social support subscale analyses showed tangible support (R 2 Δ = 0.016, p = 0.018) and affectionate support (R 2 Δ = 0.016, p = 0.020) buffered DD and self-care, and emotional support (R 2 Δ = 0.015, p = 0.022), tangible support (R 2 Δ = 0.020, p = 0.009), affectionate support (R 2 Δ = 0.025, p = 0.004) and positive interaction support (R 2 Δ = 0.017, p = 0.018) buffered depressive symptoms and self-care., Conclusions: Findings suggest that social support buffers the impact of DD and depressive symptoms on self-care in adults with T1D and T2D. Additional research is needed to confirm the buffering role of social support on DD and depressive symptoms. Greater understanding of these interactions may help improve clinical care and outcomes., (© 2020 Diabetes UK.)

Background: Southeastern Appalachian Ohio has more than double the national average of diabetes and a critical shortage of healthcare providers. Paradoxically, there is limited research focused on primary care providers' experiences treating people with diabetes in this region. This study explored providers' perceived barriers to and facilitators for treating patients with diabetes in southeastern Appalachian Ohio., Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with healthcare providers who treat people with diabetes in rural southeastern Ohio. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed via content and thematic analyses using NVivo 12 software (QSR International, Chadstone, VIC, Australia)., Results: Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: (1) patients' diabetes fatalism and helplessness: providers recounted story after story of patients believing that their diabetes was inevitable and that they were helpless to prevent or delay diabetes complications. (2) Comorbid psychosocial issues: providers described high rates of depression, anxiety, incest, abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder among people with diabetes in this region. (3) Inter-connected social determinants interfering with diabetes care: providers identified major barriers including lack of access to providers, lack of access to transportation, food insecurity, housing insecurity, and financial insecurity. (4) Providers' cultural understanding and recommendations: providers emphasized the importance of understanding of the values central to Appalachian culture and gave culturally attuned clinical suggestions for how to use these values when working with this population., Conclusions: Evidence-based interventions tailored to Appalachian culture and training designed to increase the cultural competency and cultural humility of primary care providers may be effective approaches to reduce barriers to diabetes care in Appalachian Ohio.

Background: Adults with type 1 diabetes (PWDs) face challenging self-management regimens including monitoring their glucose values multiple times a day to assist with achieving glycemic targets and reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Recent advances in diabetes technology have reportedly improved glycemia, but little is known about how PWDs utilize mobile technology to make positive changes in their diabetes self-management., Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore PWDs' experiences using Sugar Sleuth, a glucose sensor-based mobile app and Web-based reporting system, integrated with the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor that provides feedback about glycemic variability., Methods: We used a qualitative descriptive research design and conducted semistructured interviews with 10 PWDs (baseline mean glycated hemoglobin, HbA 1c ) 8.0%, (SD 0.45); 6 males and 4 females, aged 52 years (SD 15), type 1 diabetes (T1D) duration 31 years (SD 13), 40% (4/10, insulin pump) following a 14-week intervention during which they received clinical support and used Sugar Sleuth to evaluate and understand their glucose data. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo 11 (QSR International Pty Ltd)., Results: A total of 4 main themes emerged from the data. Participants perceived Sugar Sleuth as an Empowering Tool that served to inform lifestyle choices and diabetes self-management tasks, promoted preemptive self-care actions, and improved discussions with clinicians. They also described Sugar Sleuth as providing a Source of Psychosocial Support and offering relief from worry, reducing glycemic uncertainty, and supporting positive feelings about everyday life with diabetes. Participants varied in their Approaches to Glycemic Data: 40% (4/10) described using Sugar Sleuth to review data, understand glycemic cause and effect, and plan for future self-care. On the contrary, 60% (6/10) were reluctant to review past data; they described receiving benefits from the immediate numbers and trend arrows, but the app still prompted them to enter in the suspected causes of glucose excursions within hours of their occurrence. Finally, only 2 participants voiced Concerns About Use of Sugar Sleuth; they perceived the app as sometimes too demanding of information or as not attuned to the socioeconomic backgrounds of PWDs from diverse populations., Conclusions: Results suggest that Sugar Sleuth can be an effective educational tool to enhance both patient-clinician collaboration and diabetes self-management. Findings also highlight the importance of exploring psychosocial and socioeconomic factors that may advance the understanding of PWDs' individual differences when using glycemic technology and may promote the development of customized mobile tools to improve diabetes self-management., (©Marilyn D Ritholz, Owen Henn, Astrid Atakov Castillo, Howard Wolpert, Stephanie Edwards, Lawrence Fisher, Elena Toschi. Originally published in JMIR Diabetes (http://diabetes.jmir.org), 08.07.2019.)

Background: Hypoglycemia is a severe clinical problem with physical and psychosocial implications for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Medical students would benefit from formal education on how to treat hypoglycemia as well as how to administer glucagon in case of a severe hypoglycemic emergency. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a brief training to improve medical students' knowledge and attitudes about diabetes, hypoglycemia, and glucagon administration., Methods: We conducted a feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of an interactive training session on diabetes education with an emphasis on hypoglycemia. We measured medical students' knowledge and attitudes toward diabetes, hypoglycemia, and glucagon before and after the training. We performed Chi-Square tests, paired t-tests, determined effect sizes using Cohen's d, and analyzed short answer responses via content and thematic analyses., Results: Two hundred and seventeen participants (age = 25.1 ± 2.3 years, 45.2% female, 78.3% white, 36.4% planned to pursue primary care, response rate of 94.3%) completed surveys. Following the training, participants' total knowledge scores improved by five percentage points to 82.6 ± 11.0% (t-value = 7.119, p < 0.001). We also observed positive improvements in the General Test scores to 82.3 ± 12.6% (t-value = 5.844, p < 0.001) and Insulin Use Test scores to 82.4 ± 17.4% (t-value = 4.103, p < 0.001). For the hypoglycemia test, participants averaged 55.7 ± 24.8% pre-training and 83.0 ± 22.4% post-training (t-value = 14.258, p < 0.001). Lastly, participants scored 87.6 ± 18.5% on the glucagon test after the training session. In addition, we observed positive improvements in all five diabetes attitudes subscales after the training, with the largest magnitude of change in the "Psychosocial impact of diabetes" subscale (t-value = 9.249, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.60). Qualitatively, more participants recognized the severity of hypoglycemia after the training. They also learned how to approach diabetes from the patient's perspective and valued the clinically relevant and practical information provided during the training session, such as the "15-15 Rule.", Conclusions: Medical students need to learn about patients' everyday experiences of diabetes in order to have an understanding of and confidence to assess and treat hypoglycemia. These findings underscore the importance of training medical students on how to actively assess and manage the risk of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes.

Purpose: Food and eating convey memories and feelings and serve important functions in creating and maintaining relationships. Given the increasing rate of diabetes in the United States, research understanding the meaning of food may shed light on how patients negotiate everyday food choices while managing type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the meaning of food among adults with type 2 diabetes living in Northern Appalachia., Methods: In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with type 2 diabetes patients. Interviews were coded and analyzed via thematic analysis., Results: Nineteen adults with type 2 diabetes (mean age 68.7 ± 10.6 years, mean A1C 7.4 ± 1.4%, mean diabetes duration 10.9 ± 11.9 years, 52.6% female, 100% white) participated in the study. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: 1 ) "Sustaining Life:" Food and the Demands of Diabetes Management, in which participants described the role of food as operational and said that eating was dictated by time rather than hunger or pleasure; 2 ) "Diabetes Feels Like a Yield Sign:" Diabetes Changes Perceptions of Food, Enjoyment, and Social Relationships, in which most participants described a negative or ambivalent relationship with food after their diabetes diagnosis; and 3 ) "Food is Everywhere; It's Seducing:" Struggling With Diabetes Management in a Fast-Food Culture, in which participants discussed how the American fast-food culture was in direct conflict with the demands of diabetes and described how they struggled to follow a healthful diet in a culture that advertised the opposite in many venues., Conclusion: Adults with diabetes may benefit from education that addresses both the personal and sociocultural factors that guide food choices.

Aims: To investigate the experiences among adults with diabetes of discussions of microvascular complications and provide recommendations for providers., Methods: We performed a qualitative study in 148 adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes (56% women, 95% white, mean age 60±13 years, 65% with Type 1 diabetes, 71% with ≥1 microvascular complication). Data were analysed using content analysis., Results: At their first discussion of microvascular complications, 93% of participants (138/148) recalled providers using a preventative approach including clinical suggestions, factual information and warnings. At complication diagnosis, 78% of participants (82/105) perceived provider support through comprehensive interactive education, specific self-care guidance, reassuring messages, and referrals and follow-ups. In response to complication diagnosis, 48% (50/105) felt scared, 46% (48/105) had 'a wake-up call', and 86% (90/105) reported increasing ≥1 specific area of self-care. Participants recommended providers offer factual and complete information, specific self-care guidance, and positive honesty, with an individualized and collaborative approach that includes psychosocial assessment and referrals and lacks 'scare tactics' and blame., Conclusions: Adults with diabetes want to learn about diabetes microvascular complications and apply preventative strategies as early as possible. Paradoxically, the diagnosis of a diabetes microvascular complication in itself may represent a unique learning opportunity because 86% of participants improved diabetes self-care after this event. Recommendations offer providers simple but important clinical approaches to improve these difficult conversations and thus support necessary behaviour changes and psychosocial well-being. Training is needed to help providers discuss the threat of diabetes complications with honest but positive messages so that people with diabetes can be fully informed but also maintain hope in the face of complications., (© 2017 Diabetes UK.)

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in older populations worldwide. Older adults with diabetes have unique psychosocial and medical challenges that impact self-care and glycemic control. These challenges may include psychological factors such as depression or anxiety, social factors such loss of independence and removal from home environment/placement in a facility, and medical factors such as multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy. Importantly, these challenges interact and complicate the everyday life of the older adult with diabetes. Thus, timely identification and interventions for psychosocial and medical challenges are a necessary component of diabetes care. This review summarizes the current literature, research findings, and clinical recommendations for psychosocial care in older adults with diabetes.

Objective: Diabetes self-care is challenging and requires effective patient-provider communication to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. This study explored perceptions of barriers and facilitators to diabetes self-care communication during medical appointments., Design: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with a semistructured interview guide., Participants: Thirty-four patients with type 2 diabetes and 19 physicians who treat type 2 diabetes., Results: Physicians described some patients as reluctant to discuss their self-care behaviors primarily because of fear of being judged, guilt, and shame. Similarly, patients described reluctant communication resulting from fear of being judged and shame, particularly shame surrounding food intake and weight. Physicians and patients recommended trust, nonjudgmental acceptance, open/honest communication, and providing patients hope for living with diabetes as important factors for improving self-care communication. Further, patients stressed the clinical benefits of physicians directly addressing poor self-care behaviors while physicians described having few strategies to address these difficulties., Conclusions: Physician-patient self-care communication barriers included patients' reluctance to discuss self-care behaviors and physicians' perceptions of few options to address this reluctance. Treatment recommendations stressed the importance of establishing trusting, nonjudgmental and open patient-provider communication for optimal diabetes treatment. Medical education is needed to improve physicians' strategies for addressing self-care communication during medical appointments., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

Aims: To examine the impact of continuous glucose monitoring on diabetes management and marital relationships of adults with Type 1 diabetes and their spouses., Methods: Nine younger (30-49 years) and 11 older (50-70 years) patients with Type 1 diabetes and 14 spouses participated in eight focus groups specific to age and role (patient or spouse). Audio-recorded data were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis and aided by NVivo software., Results: Qualitative analysis revealed participants perceived continuous glucose monitoring as positively influencing hypoglycaemia management by decreasing spouses' anxiety, vigilance and negative experiences. Participants also described continuous glucose monitoring as promoting collaborative diabetes management and increasing spousal understanding of diabetes, especially when planning and managing pregnancy. Couples' conflicts occurred when (1) patients assumed sole responsibility for continuous glucose monitoring and/or did not respond to night-time glucose alarms and (2) spouses did not understand alarms and felt frustrated and helpless to assist patients., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that continuous glucose monitoring may positively impact collaborative diabetes management and marital relationships of patients with Type 1 diabetes and their spouses. However, reluctance to collaborate and lack of understanding may contribute to couples' conflicts around continuous glucose monitoring. Our findings have important implications for clinical care and point to the need for interventions that include spouses in continuous glucose monitoring training to increase their understanding of continuous glucose monitoring, minimize risk for spousal conflict and enhance collaborative diabetes management. Further studies are needed to explore these issues in more detail and depth with larger and more diverse populations., (© 2013 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2013 Diabetes UK.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions that emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have of their patient-provider relationships across the transition from pediatric to adult care., Methods: Twenty-six emerging adults with T1D (mean age 26.2 ± 2.5 years) participated in 5 focus groups stratified by current level of glycemic control (A1C). Coded audio-recorded data were analyzed using thematic analysis and aided by NVivo software., Results: Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) loss and gain in provider relationships across the transition-patients expressed 3 key responses to leaving pediatric providers that differed by A1C levels: sad reluctance and "natural progression" (mean A1C ± SD 7.4% ± 0.6%) and wanting to go (mean A1C ± SD 9.8% ± 1.0%); (2) partners in care versus on one's own-patients valued how adult providers' collaborative conversations promoted their involvement and accountability compared to "parent-centric" interactions with pediatric providers, but they also expressed ambivalence over increased independence in adult care; (3) improving provider approaches to transition-patients recommended that pediatric providers actively promote emerging adults' autonomy while maintaining parental support, communication with adult providers, and follow-up with transitioning patients., Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of enhanced provider awareness of T1D emerging adults' complex feelings about the transition in care. Improved integration of individual- and family-centered approaches to developmentally tailored diabetes care is needed to augment patient and provider relationships.

Background: Depression has increased prevalence and consistently predicts poor health outcomes among patients with diabetes. The impact of stressors related to diabetes and its treatment on depression assessment is infrequently considered., Methods: We used mixed methods to evaluate depressive symptoms in adults with type 2 diabetes. We categorized responses related to diabetes and its treatment during interviews (n=70) using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and administered questionnaires to measure diabetes-related distress and depressive symptoms., Results: Participants (M age=56, SD=7; 67% female; 64% Black; 21% Latino) had mild depression on average (MADRS M=10, SD=9). Half of those with symptoms spontaneously mentioned diabetes context; 61% said diabetes contributed to their symptoms when questioned directly. Qualitative themes included: overlapping symptoms of diabetes and depression; burden of diabetes treatment; emotional impact of diabetes; and the bidirectional influence of depression and diabetes. Diabetes was mentioned more often at higher levels of depression severity (r=.38, p=.001). Higher HbA1c was associated with mentioning diabetes as a context for depressive symptoms (r=.32, p=.007). Insulin-users mentioned diabetes more often than those on oral medications only (p=.005)., Limitations: MADRS is not a traditional qualitative interview so themes may not provide an exhaustive view of the role of diabetes context in depression assessment., Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The burden of type 2 diabetes and its treatment often provide an explanatory context for depressive symptoms assessed by structured clinical interviews, the gold standard of depression assessment. Diabetes context may influence accuracy of assessment and should inform intervention planning for those needing treatment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diabetes has become a global pandemic and Chinese Americans are at least 60% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than White Americans, despite having lower body weight, due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because of the increased risk, it is vitally important to address the issues of treatment adherence and diabetes self-management in the Chinese American population. Many factors affect an individual's ability to manage diabetes, including cultural beliefs, immigration experience, language abilities/health literacy, educational background, employment, and accessibility of healthcare services. In treating Chinese American patients, these factors must be considered to determine appropriate treatment. Eastern cultural and individual beliefs differ greatly from Western beliefs and, therefore, may affect the presentation of the patients. If left unacknowledged, these differences might be misinterpreted by healthcare providers as merely treatment non-adherence or unwillingness to change. Suggestions for providing culturally competent healthcare are discussed., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Despite new treatment therapies and the emphasis on patient activation, nearly 50 % of diabetes patients have hemoglobin A(1c) levels above target. Understanding the impact of unmet treatment goals on the physician-patient relationship is important for maintaining quality care in clinical practice., Objective: To explore physicians' and type 2 diabetes patients' views of patients' difficulty achieving diabetes treatment goals., Design: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with a semi-structured interview guide., Participants: Nineteen endocrinologists and primary care physicians and 34 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at least two years prior., Main Measures: In-depth interviews with physicians and patients. A multidisciplinary research team performed content and thematic analyses., Key Results: Qualitative analysis revealed two main findings, organized by physician and patient perspectives. Physician Perspective: Physicians' Perceived Responsibility for Patients' Difficulty Achieving Treatment Goals: Physicians assumed responsibility for their patients not achieving goals and expressed concern that they may not be doing enough to help their patients achieve treatment goals. Physicians' Perceptions of Patients' Reactions: Most speculated that their patients may feel guilt, frustration, or disappointment when not reaching goals. Physicians also felt that many patients did not fully understand the consequences of diabetes. Patient Perspective: Patients' Self-Blame for Difficulty Achieving Treatment Goals: Patients attributed unmet treatment goals to their inability to carry out self-care recommendations. Most patients blamed themselves for their lack of progress and directed their frustration and disappointment inwardly through self-depreciating comments. Patients' Perceptions of Physicians' Reactions: Several patients did not know how their physician felt, while others speculated that their physicians might feel disappointed or frustrated., Conclusions: Physicians' perceived responsibility and patients' self-blame for difficulty achieving treatment goals may serve as barriers to an effective relationship. Physicians and patients may benefit from a greater understanding of each other's frustrations and challenges in diabetes management.

Qualitative research methodology is more recognized and valued in diabetes behavioral research in recent years. Qualitative methods help clinicians answer questions that quantitative research may not be able to answer, such as exploring patients' motivations, perceptions, and expectations. This paper reviews recent (2005-present) rigorous qualitative studies of children, adolescents, and adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes with the aim of answering the following research question: How has qualitative research contributed to our understanding of behavioral diabetes care? We focus on studies exploring patients', health care providers', and families' interpersonal experiences of diabetes as well as patients' psychosocial experiences of diagnosis and treatment, self-care, complications, and cultural factors. After reviewing the research in each area, we conclude by discussing how qualitative research contributes to our increased understanding of behavioral diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore physicians' perceptions of the multidisciplinary type 2 diabetes treatment team., Methods: Nineteen physicians (74% endocrinologists; 26% primary care) participated in semistructured interviews. Audiorecorded data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo 8 software., Results: Physicians considered the multidisciplinary team, including a physician and diabetes educator, as very important to diabetes treatment. Participants described how diabetes, with its many comorbidities and challenging lifestyle recommendations, is difficult for any single physician to treat. They further described how the team's diverse staff offers complementary skills and more contact time for assessment and treatment of patients, developing treatment relationships, and supporting patients in learning diabetes self-care. Physicians stressed the necessity of regular and ongoing communication among team members to ensure patients receive consistent information, and some reported that institutional factors interfere with intra-team communication. They also expressed concerns about the team approach in relation to individualized treatment and patients' reluctance to see multiple providers., Conclusions: This study highlights physicians' positive perceptions of and concerns about the type 2 diabetes multidisciplinary team. Further study of diabetes educators' and patients' perceptions of the team approach is needed.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of psychosocial adaptations in parenting young children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) from diagnosis through childhood., Method: Fourteen parents of 11 children with T1DM who were diagnosed at age five years or younger participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis., Results: Three significant themes were identified. In the theme "Diagnostic Experiences: Frustrations, Fears, and Doubts," parents described inadequate diagnostic experiences with pediatricians where concerns were minimized and diagnosis was sometimes delayed. Although hospitalization occurred abruptly, communication with specialists was more satisfactory. In the theme "Adapting to Diabetes," parents described isolation in caring for their child's T1DM. Family and friends had minimal understanding of T1DM care. Support groups lessened mothers' isolation, but fathers were less positive about this experience. Parental adaptation was more effective when responsibility for diabetes decision making was shared. All parents reported never mastering diabetes management. The theme "Negotiating Developmental Transitions" revealed that normative childhood events were stressful, requiring that parents balance concerns to foster their child's participation., Conclusions: Pediatric providers can improve diagnostic and treatment experiences for parents of children with T1DM by recognizing feelings of isolation and lack of mastery, providing attentive communication, encouraging parental teamwork, and offering ongoing anticipatory guidance., (Copyright © 2011 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To identify psychosocial factors associated with the use of continuous glucose monitoring by adults with Type 1 diabetes., Methods: Twenty adult patients (aged 45 +/- 15 years, diabetes duration 25 +/- 19 years, 50% female) followed at our site in the multi-centre Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation continuous glucose monitoring trial were divided into three groups: Glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) Responders who demonstrated an improvement in glycaemic control with continuous glucose monitoring (baseline HbA(1c)> or = 7.0%, HbA(1c) reduction greater than or equal to 0.5%), Hypoglycaemia Responders (baseline HbA(1c) < 7.0%) who demonstrated decreased time < 3.9 mmol/l while remaining within target HbA(1c), and HbA(1c) Non-Responders (baseline HbA(1c)> or = 7.0%, HbA(1c) reduction less than 0.5%). Subjects participated in semi-structured interviews focusing on their psychosocial experiences with continuous glucose monitoring., Results: Three major themes were identified that differentiated Responders (including both the HbA(1c) and Hypoglycaemia groups) from Non-Responders: (i) coping with frustrations-Responders used self-controlled rather than emotions-based coping when faced with continuous glucose monitoring frustrations; (ii) use of information-Responders used retrospective pattern analysis, not just minute-by-minute data analysis, in glycaemic management; (iii) 'significant other'/spousal involvement-Responders endorsed interest, encouragement and participation by their loved ones. Both Responders and Non-Responders expressed body image concerns when wearing continuous glucose monitoring devices., Conclusions: This qualitative study points to the importance of coping skills, retrospective review of data, and 'significant other' involvement in the effective use of continuous glucose monitoring. These findings will inform clinical initiatives to improve patient selection and training in the use of this new technology and have served as the basis for development of quantitative surveys to be used in clinical practice.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial issues related to diabetes, approaches to self-care, self-perceptions, and social interactions among insulin pump users with type 1 diabetes., Research Design and Methods: Adult insulin pump users participated in focus groups loosely formed on the basis of A1C level. Transcripts of focus group meetings were coded into themes by five reviewers using NVivo2 qualitative software., Results: Thirty adults with long-term diabetes participated in five focus groups: two with low mean +/-SD A1C (6.8 +/- 0.4%), one with mid A1C (7.80 +/- 0.3%), and two with high A1C (9.1 +/- 0.5%). Three major themes were identified: impact on diabetes self-care, emotional reactions to the insulin pump, body image, and social acceptance. Participants who described the pump as a tool to meet glycemic goals also described a more active approach to diabetes and had better glycemic control; those who discussed the pump as a panacea described more passive self-care and had poorer glycemic control. Low A1C groups reported that starting the insulin pump reminded them of feelings they experienced at their initial diabetes diagnosis, whereas the high A1C groups did not report these feelings. Women were more concerned than men about body image and social acceptance with pump use., Conclusions: Active participation in self-care, realistic expectations of pump use, and emotional recall of diabetes diagnosis were associated with better glycemic control. Interventions to improve diabetes management with pump use should include evaluation and discussion of active versus passive approaches to self-care, recall of diabetes diagnosis, expectations of the pump, and pump-related self-consciousness and body image concerns. The roles of these factors in optimal diabetes management warrant further investigation.

Objective: Despite recognition that dying children and their families have unique palliative care needs, there has been little empirical inquiry of parent perspectives to improve the quality of end-of-life care and communication. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the priorities and recommendations for end-of-life care and communication from the parents' perspective., Methods: This was a qualitative study based on parental responses to open-ended questions on anonymous, self-administered questionnaires, conducted at 3 pediatric ICUs in Boston, Massachusetts. Fifty-six parents whose children had died in PICUs after withdrawal of life support participated in this study. We measured parent-identified priorities for end-of-life care and communication., Results: Parents identified 6 priorities for pediatric end-of-life care including honest and complete information, ready access to staff, communication and care coordination, emotional expression and support by staff, preservation of the integrity of the parent-child relationship, and faith., Conclusions: Parental priorities and recommendations offer simple yet compelling guidance to improve pediatric end-of-life clinical practice and research.

Purpose: To increase understanding of adolescent-parent diabetes-related conflicts and supports in the management of type 1 diabetes by means of a focus group research approach., Methods: Twenty-four adolescents (10 boys and 14 girls, age 13-15 years; 97% white) participated in three same-sex focus groups at two diabetes summer camps. The focus group leader used a prepared set of open-ended questions to guide the 90-minute sessions. Sessions were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by a set procedure for qualitative analysis to identify the adolescents' perspectives on parent-adolescent sources of diabetes-related conflict and support., Results: Adolescents reported the following sources of diabetes-related conflict: parental worry and intrusive behaviors; parental lack of understanding and blaming behaviors, and the parents focus on the future vs. the adolescent focus on the present. With regard to diabetes-related support, the teens identified parental understanding of the demands of diabetes and parental provision of reassurance about their child's illness and normative functioning., Conclusions: Adolescents' perceptions of parental worry, lack of understanding, and resulting intrusive and blaming behaviors are major areas of conflict that need to be addressed in the management of type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To increase understanding of the everyday experiences of hypoglycemia for patients with type 1 diabetes through the use of a narrative research approach., Setting: Center for diabetes treatment and research., Design: Cross-sectional assessment using a narrative research approach., Patients/participants: Twenty outpatients (aged 21-30 years) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 10 years., Measurements and Main Results: Experiences of hypoglycemia were investigated during in-depth, semistructured interviews that were tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify common themes. Self-report measures of depression (Revised Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) also were administered. Subjects reported the following common themes: interpersonal conflict including fears of dependency and loss of control and problems addressing concerns about hypoglycemia with significant others; difficulty making sense of their hypoglycemic behaviors in relation to their usual ways of functioning; and perceived lack of understanding by others, including physicians, about the emotional experiences of hypoglycemia. Subjects were neither clinically depressed nor anxious., Conclusions: These findings suggest that type 1 diabetes patients' experiences of hypoglycemia negatively affect their interpersonal relationships and views of themselves. Hypoglycemia also was described as an extremely private experience that was rarely discussed with others. Patient education and professional support in the treatment of hypoglycemia are recommended to enhance treatment decision making for patients with type 1 diabetes.