Carina Calugaru, Lana Fretz-Mason, Jeanna Hancock, Alyssa Hocking, Christopher Vinson
NUR/518
February 24, 2015
Dr. Patricia Shannon
Clinical Issue Article Analysis – Step 3
Chaney, D., Coates, V., Shevlin, M., Carson, D., McDougall, A., & Long, A.,
(2010, December). Diabetes education: what do adolescents want?. Journal of
Clinical Nursing, 21(1), 216-223.
This research article uses an exploratory qualitative design study to explore the beliefs and views of adolescents in regard to structured diabetes education, including how it should be organized and the topics that should be discussed in the program. These programs have been shown to be valuable in improving metabolic control and quality of life for those who participate. Adolescents are of greater need for structured diabetes education as they transition to adulthood.
The researchers interviewed 21 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19. The study took place in Northern Ireland, where they found participants from three diabetes clinics within the area. The participants had to be diagnosed with diabetes for at least one year, and spoke English. The focus groups were recorded using a digital Dictaphone; the recordings were transcribed word for word and analyzed through thematic content analysis. The study presented some limitations including smaller sample size, and lack of demographic data which creates the possibility for selection bias. The results showed that many adolescents found difficulties with social acceptance and knowledge of their condition to attain optimal control. Many participants expressed that complications of diabetes should not be addressed in these programs because they feel it is a method of trying to persuade compliance and unrealistic dietary expectations. Another issue explored was the need for health professionals to acclimate to the lifestyle of communication, such as text messaging, which they felt was a