Conducting child- and parent-centred qualitative research allows exploration of the perceptions and understanding of type 1 diabetes mellitus and the meaning ascribed by children and their parents who live with the condition. Diabetes is a lifelong, life-threatening condition that has a significant impact on children's and parents' lives. Developing a deeper understanding of their lives and experiences will enable the delivery of nursing care to meet their specific needs.

Considerable attention has been given to diabetes care in children. However, nursing practice may be guided by biomedical models. Diabetes care in children should focus on family-centred approaches arguably based in the community. Psychosocial constructs have an important role in the development of self-management of chronic illness in children. Paediatric diabetes nurse specialists are pivotal in facilitating family-centred care based on personal models of child and family interventions.

No abstract

No abstract