On a Different Page! Perceptions on the Onset, Diagnosis, and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Adolescent Patients, Parents, and Physicians

Abstract

To examine perceptions about the diagnostic process and post-diagnosis care of type 2 diabetes (T2D) from adolescent patients, parents, and diabetes care physicians, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 individuals from each group. Interview transcripts were coded using content analysis. Emerged categories were compared among 3 groups. Half of adolescent patients and parents were surprised by the T2D diagnosis, despite most reporting that patients experienced common symptoms of T2D prior to diagnosis. Adolescents and parents recognized diet, exercise, and weight gain as risk factors after diagnosis, whereas physicians noted weight gain as a common risk factor pre-diagnosis. All 3 groups noted the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and adherence to T2D management, though physicians noted the challenges from socioeconomic structural inequalities. Adolescent and parents were surprised by the T2D diagnosis, suggesting the need for increasing awareness of risk factors and symptomatology of T2D among at-risk adolescents and parents.