Evaluating the Experience of Children With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Parents Taking Part in an Artificial Pancreas Clinical Trial Over Multiple Days in a Diabetes Camp Setting

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To explore the experiences of children with type 1 diabetes and their parents taking part in an artificial pancreas (AP) clinical trial during a 7-day summer camp.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A semistructured interview, composed of 14 questions based on the Technology Acceptance Model, was conducted at the end of the clinical trial. Participants also completed the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ, parent version) and the AP Acceptance Questionnaire.

RESULTS Thirty children, aged 5–9 years, and their parents completed the study. A content analysis of the interviews showed that parents were focused on understanding the mechanisms, risks, and benefits of the new device, whereas the children were focused on the novelty of the new system. The parents’ main concerns about adopting the new system seemed related to the quality of glucose control. The mean scores of DTSQ subscales indicated general parents’ satisfaction (44.24 ± 5.99, range 32–53) and trustful views of diabetes control provided by the new system (7.8 ± 2.2, range 3–12). The AP Acceptance Questionnaire revealed that most parents considered the AP easy to use (70.5%), intended to use it long term (94.0%), and felt that it was apt to improve glucose control (67.0%).

CONCLUSIONS Participants manifested a positive attitude toward the AP. Further studies are required to explore participants’ perceptions early in the AP development to individualize the new treatment as much as possible, and to tailor it to respond to their needs and values.

  • Received May 17, 2016.
  • Accepted September 8, 2016.
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Alda Troncone, Riccardo Bonfanti, Dario Iafusco, Ivana Rabbone, Alberto Sabbion, Riccardo Schiaffini,Alfonso Galderisi, Marco Marigliano, Novella Rapini, Andrea Rigamonti, Davide Tinti, Valeria Vallone,Angela Zanfardino, Federico Boscari, Simone Del Favero, Silvia Galasso, Giordano Lanzola, MirkoMessori, Federico Di Palma, Roberto Visentin, Roberta Calore, Yenny Leal, Lalo Magni, Eleonora Losiouk,Daniel Chernavvsky, Silvana Quaglini, Claudio Cobelli, Daniela Bruttomesso
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