What was this project about?
Children with type 1 diabetes discussed their condition and ways in which they share in managing their medical and health care with adults.
The project was funded by the Childhood Research Fund from the Social Science Research Unit, IOE.
Who was in this project?
24 children aged 3-12 years who have type I diabetes were in the project. Some children received care from inner London hospitals and some from a hospital in a commuter town in the South of England.
Why was the research done?
Managing a life-long condition such as Type 1 diabetes requires important decisions every day. Healthcare staff need to understand how best to involve and support child patients, in decision-making.
What did we find?
- The interviews showed that children’s key goals were to be “normal” and “just get on with their lives”.
- The children described managing a complicated balance between the sometimes competing goals of social health i.e. “being normal” and physical health i.e. managing their diabetes.
- However, the interviews showed that children’s experiences of diabetes meant they could make informed and “wise” decisions in their own best interests, even at a young age.
Outputs
- Alderson, P., Sutcliffe, K. and Curtis, K. (2006). Children as partners with adults in their medical care. Archives of disease in childhood, 91(4), 300–303
- Sutcliffe K., Alderson P. and Curtis, K. Children as partners in their diabetes care: an exploratory research study. London, SSRU, IOE, 2004
- Alderson, P., Sutcliffe, K., and Curtis, K. (2006). Children’s consent to medical treatment. Hastings Centre Report 36: 25-34
Related links
Contact us
Social Science Research Unit (SSRU)
UCL Institute of Education
University College London
18 Woburn Square
London WC1H ONR
