Adolescents with Diabetes: What are the Challenges?
by Amy Neil, MS, MAP 3 CE Credits
Description:
This course presents a detailed look at this turbulent time in development and the biopsychosocial complexities presented for teenagers with diabetes. In a disease in which blood glucose control makes or breaks the road to a healthy future, teens and their health professionals encounter numerous emotional and behavioral challenges that directly affect this control. This course will address specific clinical aspects of diabetes that may be affected by inadequate psychological adjustment to the condition. Current research into factors affecting emotional adjustment and associated health behaviors for teens will be discussed, as well as the impact of family dynamics. Knowing how best to address the individual challenges teenage patients with diabetes face can help clinicians escort them to a healthier future.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Identify the empirical evidence pertaining to the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents to type 1 diabetes and apply these research findings to help teenage patients manage psychosocial aspects of diabetes within the context of specific developmental changes.
- Indicate the clinical aspects of diabetes that may be affected by inadequate psychological adjustment to the condition.
- Assist and facilitate patients’ adjustment through an understanding of the impact of diabetes on family dynamics.
- Utilize current developments in healthcare to address psychosocial adjustment to teen diabetes and employ national healthcare quality improvement initiatives to provide coordinated services.
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