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Deveci AC, Gurnani M, Wolfe-Wylie MC, Regina A, Cordeiro K, Dave MG, Mahmud FH, Hamilton J. Looking at Diabetes Through Different Lenses: Focus Groups Conducted With Somali Canadian Families and Their Health-care Providers. Can J Diabetes 2024; 48:112-119.e3. [PMID: 38056690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In Toronto, many families with Somali backgrounds have children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). At our clinic, children with African and Caribbean backgrounds have higher glycated hemoglobin than children from European backgrounds. In this study, we explored the experiences and perspectives of Somali Canadian families with children living with T1D, as well as health-care professionals (HCPs) who care for them, to better understand how T1D impacts these families. METHODS We conducted 3 separate focus groups with Somali Canadian parents of children with T1D (n=11), Somali Canadian adolescents with T1D (n=5), and HCPs who treat patients with diabetes (n=9), respectively. A grounded theory approach to data analysis was applied to identify themes. RESULTS Four key themes emerged: 1) the general impact of living with diabetes, 2) the challenges of self-management, 3) uncertainty on whose job it is to manage the diabetes, and 4) how cultural differences between Canada and Somalia impact diabetes management. There was discordance in the perspectives of families and HCPs for all themes, but especially themes 1 and 3. Parents focussed on the social impact of diabetes and behavioural indicators of management success, whereas HCPs emphasized clinical measures. Families believed children should take charge of their diabetes self-management early on, whereas HCPs believed the children were not developmentally ready for this responsibility. CONCLUSIONS Differing perspectives of patients, families, and HCPs may lead to diverging expectations for treatment and management. Families and practitioners must work together to identify barriers to care and build strategies to promote competency and resilience in the self-management of T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arin C Deveci
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Muskaan Gurnani
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Margaret C Wolfe-Wylie
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Neonatal & Paediatric Medicine, Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Regina
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristina Cordeiro
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Malini G Dave
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Black Creek Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farid H Mahmud
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jill Hamilton
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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