Young people's experiences of managing asthma and diabetes at school

Abstract

In order to ensure optimal care, there is a need for the development of protocols tailored to the needs of young people with different conditions. These should preferably be devised in partnership between the young person, their parents and the school to ensure that the flexibility and support required for optimal management are offered.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1: evidências da literatura para seu manejo adequado, na perspectiva de crianças

“…In addition, lack of knowledge among school professionals also collaborates to impair disease management (16,19) .…”

“…For many children, the school structure revealed lack of preparation to help them with some self-care actions. Private rooms are missing for insulin administration, which is often performed at inappropriate and tight places, such as the children's bathroom (16) , which can impair metabolic control results (19) . Offering an adequate place for the children to store the materials they need for self-care (19) , with easy access in case of need, was an important aspect these children reported (16) .…”

“…In the school context, this situation can be intensified, as they are forced to eat appropriate snacks for their condition, which they generally bring from home. Besides, for school snack breaks are times that enhance group interaction among the children and, consequently, their snacks, contributing to increase this challenge (16) . Despite these difficulties, glucose and diet control are responsibilities which children in the age range from 8 to 11 years should gradually start to assume, first sharing them with their parents and, over time, under the children's own supervision (17) .…”

“…Friends and health professionals were also reminded as factors interfering in disease management, offering emotional support and other types of help on different occasions (12,(15)(16)19) . Friends' companionship, offering moments of fun and relaxation, makes the children feel accepted in their condition, collaborating towards successful disease management (12,(15)(16)19) .…”

“…Friends' companionship, offering moments of fun and relaxation, makes the children feel accepted in their condition, collaborating towards successful disease management (12,(15)(16)19) . They particularly emphasized the presence of a friend who knows about their disease and is able to acknowledge bad times; immediately performing care when necessary, warning close relatives and supporting the children to seek help (15)(16) .…”