Parent Experiences Raising Young People with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease

• Manage the challenges of disease management every day,
• Have concerns about possible health complications of T1D,
• Experience considerable expenses in managing both diseases,
• Worry about their child's emotional/mental health,
• Value experiences with healthcare providers
• Interact positively and negatively with people outside the family and at the child's school.

Authors of this qualitative descriptive study interviewed 30 parents concerning their experiences raising a child or adolescent with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CD). Analysis revealed six themes: (a) health complications of T1D, (b) challenges of daily disease management, (c) financial concerns, (d) the young person's emotional/mental health, (e) experiences with healthcare providers, and (f) experiences with people outside the family and at school. Results suggest nurses need to be sensitive to challenges young people living with T1D and CD and their parents face, conduct ongoing assessments, and provide time during interactions to adequately address concerns.