PSYCHOSOCIAL MEETINGSDr Deepak ChowdharySpecialty Doctor Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals

For Further enquiry, contact Dr Chizo Agwu,Consultant in Paediatric Diabetes, SWBH0121 5073358

Introduction

• The psychosocial impact of diabetes in childhood is ubiquitous and involves the entire family, as well as schools and society as a whole.

• Striking a balance among hypoglycemia / hyperglycemia, growth/development, and other life factors is not easy for health care providers, patients, or families.

• Personal, family, or environmental conditions may compound the delicate balance needed to maintain good glycemic control

• At SWBH, to ensure we fully understand all the factors that may impact on a child’s diabetes control:

• we hold monthly psychosocial meetings

• Meetings last 1hour

• Only 1 child is discussed

Who is discussed?

• Any child who is having difficulties with any aspect of their diabetes care

•Any member of the team can put child forward for discussion

Aims of Psychosocial meetings

• To identify the psychosocial factors that may be having an impact on a young person’s diabetes control

• To have a clearer understanding of family and school relationships

• Review the patients notes and understand trends etc

Organisation of the meetings

• The Registrar • reviews and summarises medical case notes

• reviews and summarises information from diabetes nurse specialists, psychologists, school teachers and school health nurse

• Invites relevant stakeholders to meeting

• At end of meeting • All agree a formulation of what the relevant issues are

• Agree an action plan

• Action plans are discussed with parents if required

• These are filed in notes and reviewed at monthly team meetings

Advantage

• Review of clinical notes reminds you of issues you may have forgotten over the years

• Team has better understanding of child and factors affecting their diabetes control

• It is a more structured approach to care

• Can form part of High HBA1c policy