Living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: experiences of Colombian teenagers and parents.
Cristina Bohórquez Moreno, Alejandra Fuentes-Ramirez, Gloria Carvajal Carrascal and 3 others
PMID 41894546WHAT IT FOUND
Colombian teens with type 1 diabetes and their parents described diagnosis as an emotional shock followed by constant 24-hour vigilance.
They reported poor initial education on carbohydrate counting and insulin, unsympathetic healthcare staff, and social stigma at school. Families relied on peer support groups and faith to cope.
Key findings
01Parents and adolescents reported that initial healthcare interactions were often abrupt and lacked empathy, with parents receiving insufficient guidance on managing the condition at diagnosis.
02Both groups identified a critical need for continuous, comprehensive education on carbohydrate counting and insulin management, noting that current guidance was often one-time and unclear.
03Adolescents experienced bullying and social isolation at school due to their condition, while parents reported significant stress from managing the disease's impact on family dynamics and their own work and rest.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study used a small sample size from a single geographical area (Bogotá), which limits the generalizability of the findings to other Colombian regions or cultural contexts. Focus group dynamics may have introduced social desirability bias, where participants adjusted their responses to align with group norms or perceived moderator expectations. Convenience sampling was used, which may not represent the full diversity of the population living with type 1 diabetes in Colombia.
Declared interests
The study was funded by Universidad de La Sabana under Project ENFPHD-24-2024. The authors declare no other conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence of effective interventions. The study describes the experiences and unmet needs of a specific group of Colombian families; it does not test whether educational or support programs improve outcomes.