Parents’ Experiences of Two Different Approaches to Diabetes Care in Children Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes

Various care approaches are provided to support families with newly diagnosed children in their task of diabetes management. We conducted qualitative interviews with 36 parents of 23 children, newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The parents were recruited from participants in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluating hospital-based care (HBC) and hospital-based home care (HBHC), to explore their experiences of two different approaches to diabetes care. The HBC was considered as being safe but not family- or diabetes-oriented. The HBHC was described as a relaxed environment, providing individualized accessibility and possibilities for situational learning and was considered as more flexible, promoting normality and involvement. The transition to home was followed by a gradual discharge, which included contradictory feelings, ambivalence, and hesitation and also being prepared and ready for facing daily life. The core category depicts differences regarding the degree of family participation, from passive to more active participants in initial diabetes management.