Parent and Adolescent Perspectives on a Novel Transdisciplinary Model of Health Care Delivery for Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective:

We aimed to obtain preadolescent/adolescent and parent input on a proposed transdisciplinary model for routine Type 1 diabetes (T1D) health care in which an advanced practice nurse, dietitian, and psychologist with expertise in T1D and extensive cross-discipline training codeliver care during quarterly T1D care visits using a family-focused approach.

Method:

Participants were 17 parent–youth dyads plus one additional adolescent who responded to open-ended questions about the structure and format of the proposed transdisciplinary care model via an online, private social network. A six-member coding team developed and revised a codebook, coded question responses through iterative cycles of inductive coding, and distilled major recurring themes to obtain perspectives on the transdisciplinary care model and feedback on improving the model.

Results:

We identified nine themes regarding reactions to our proposed transdisciplinary care model, which fell into three broad categories: (a) general perceptions of transdisciplinary care (e.g., transdisciplinary care may facilitate improved communication and collaboration among providers and result in more holistic care); (b) perceptions about transdisciplinary care providers (e.g., perspectives on the inclusion of dietitians and psychologists as members of the transdisciplinary care team were mixed); and (c) suggestions for improving the transdisciplinary care model (e.g., ensure care is patient/family-centered and holistic).

Conclusions:

The present findings provided important feedback to modify our transdisciplinary care model and on parent and youth preferences for T1D health care delivery.

Implications for Impact Statement

In this study, we aimed to obtain preadolescent/adolescent and parent input on a new model of health care for youth with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), called transdisciplinary care. In transdisciplinary care, an advanced practice nurse, dietitian, and psychologist work together with the family to deliver routine T1D care. Though qualitative analysis, we found that parents and youth identified both positive and negative perceptions of the transdisciplinary care model and offered suggestions for improving the transdisciplinary care model.