1. STAND- Support Through Art and Networking in Diabetes A psychotherapeutic group for adolescent patients and their parents
Helen O’Byrne
14th June 2019

2. Background to the Service
Paediatric Diabetes Team CHI at Tallaght
Diagnosis of Type One Diabetes
Approx. 350 patients (0-19)
Full MDT- 2 Consultants, 2 Regs, 2 SHOs, 1 Intern, 1 ANP, 1 DNS, 2 s/n, MSW, Dietitian, Psychologist, Art Therapist
Main medical clinic, Teen clinic, Transition clinic
Annual Service Planning meetings- identified need re transition

3. Psychology/Art Therapy led group- Teen group (16-19)
Background to STAND
6 week group
Psychology/Art Therapy led group- Teen group (16-19)
MSW led group- Parents
Focus on transition to independence within their Diabetes management

4. Purpose of the parent group
provide a supportive space for the parents to meet others who have shared experiences
provide a safe space for the parents to open up, confide and share advice.
provide information & facilitate discussions regarding important & relevant topics associated with parenting a young person with Type 1 Diabetes, such as transitioning to independence, parent-child relationship & stress management.

5. Methodology
Qualitative study- The parent’s expectations of the group, current struggles, improvement in Diabetes care or parent/child relationship post group?
Pre and post- group questionnaires
12 participants of pre-group survey
3 drop outs, therefore 9 post-group surveys
Social Constructivist Paradigm used for surveys- parents views of their world
Interpretivist Paradigm used to evaluate the feedback

6. Findings
Expectations of the group and what they learned:
Pre:
Meet others with similar challenges and worries for child
Tips and insights in relation to parenting
Post:
Suggestion of a longer or ongoing support group
Found topics useful.
Would have liked more discussion time
Group met their expectations

7. Findings Pre: Good Diabetes Management
Worries and challenges identified:
Pre:
Good Diabetes Management
Teens becoming more independent in their management
Couldn’t identify anything they were doing well in relation to Diabetes management
Post:
Feel more confident to support their child to become more independent in their Diabetes care

8. Findings
Sources of support:
Pre:
8 out of 12 respondents did not know anyone else with Type One Diabetes prior to the group
9 out of the 12 could identify the Diabetes team or friends and family as sources of support.
3 could not identify any sources of support.
Post:
Felt they weren’t alone
WhatsApp group was beneficial to support each other between groups

9. Findings Pre: Diabetes Management General teen related issues
Stress:
Pre:
Diabetes Management
General teen related issues
Work/family balance
MH/bereavement
Post:
2 respondents implemented the stress management techniques learned in the group.

10. Conclusion
The group provided an informal support network that they did not previously have outside of the family
The parents decided to maintain contact post group
They participated in experiential learning which they reported was beneficial
They expressed feeling comfort in knowing other families have similar struggles
They noted that they had learned the importance of supporting the young person to safely transition to independent Diabetes management
From the feedback the group appears to have met the aims set out at the beginning
The parents felt they would benefit from a longer group (8-12 weeks)

11. Quotes
“Some of the challenges are getting them to understand the importance of checking their sugars on a regular basis and taking control over their condition”
“I talk more to my son about giving him more freedom and independence”
“Probably extend the group to 8 weeks. The group was still at forming stage… so the extra 2 weeks would add more value. I would also like more in depth detail on how to transition to life in college and get students who have gone through it to come in and speak.”
“I think most of the parents were very honest about their feelings and about how difficult it can be to be a diabetes parent because there was a relaxed and easy atmosphere”
“I learned that as parents we all have the same worries, thoughts and concerns about our child with Diabetes. I am not alone.”

12. Outcomes 6 groups in total 7th in September
Now meeting needs of teens transitioning to first year
Parents group now has more elements of Art therapy in it while still offering psychoeducational sessions re parenting, stress, transition etc.
Teen clinic has developed as a result
Transition to adult services more efficient and safer
Each group is audited- once as a Master thesis for UCC MSW student
Findings continue to be positive- meeting others, exploring feelings and experiences.
Plan to create a programme to be rolled out in the new children’s hospital

13. Acknowledgements: Dr Ciara McDonnell, Paediatric Consultant Endocrinologist, CHI at Tallaght Prof Edna Roche, Paediatric Consultant Endocrinologist, CHI at Tallaght Dr Claire Crowe, Senior Clinical Psychologist, CHI at Tallaght Aimee O’Neill, Art Therapist, CHI at Tallaght Brenda Mehigan, Head of Medical Social Work, Tallaght University Hospital Jean Roulston, Paediatric Social Work Team Leader, CHI at Tallaght

14. Questions? Social Work Department
Children’s Health Ireland at Tallaght