Naming hypoglycemia: a narrative tool for young people with type 1 diabetes and their families

Hypoglycemia constitutes a communication barrier between youth with type 1 diabetes, their family members and health professionals. A narrative tool may contribute to a more effective communication.

Semi-structured interviews with six open-ended questions using narrative techniques collect and analyze (thematic and comparative analysis) different ways of “naming” the lived experience of hypoglycemia.

103 participants, 40 with type 1 Diabetes aged 10–18 years (17 female), 63 relatives (40 female). Group 1 (G1), 10–14 years old (n = 21), Group 2 (G2), 15–18 years old (n = 19), Group 3 (G3) relatives, 30–59 years old. G3 was divided, G3.1: female (n = 42) and G3.2: male (n = 21).

G1 and G2 presents greater attention to symptoms. G1 refers a greater need for help, G2 emphasizes autonomy. G2 and G3 describes better the medical protocol. G1 and G2 refer more topics such as “discomfort”, “frustration”, “obligation”, “difficulty in verbalizing”, G3 refers to “gilt”, “fear” and “responsibility”. G3.1 refer more “symptoms”, “responsibility”, “fault”, “incapacity”.

A narrative tool enhances the singularity of a common experience, proving itself useful to adolescents, relatives, and healthcare professionals.

In addition to gathering information that is usually acquired empirically, a narrative tool exposes knowledge gaps and may allow implementing intervention strategies.