Mee Kyung Lee

Title : Care for transitions of students with type 1 Diabetes in schools

Abstract:

Abstract: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the common chronic diseases in school settings. The importance of transitional care has been emphasized for youth with T1D who emerge from pediatric healthcare systems to adult healthcare systems to maintain continuity of care. However, most studies about transitional care focus on necessary education and management in clinical settings, and little is known about care for transitions among students with T1D in schools. As such, this study aims to explore school nurses’ care for transitions in students with T1D and look for suggestions for better care in school settings. A content analysis method was used for this study. A total of 20 school nurses working in public school districts in Washington State were recruited for this study as a part of a study on school nurses’ roles in diabetes management and education for students with T1D. Interviews with semi-structured questions were utilized for the data gathered. Interviews were professionally transcribed verbatim and analyzed. Methodological triangulation, peer debriefing, and member-checking were used to maintain the study's trustworthiness. The major themes related to care provided included: 1) communication with people involved in diabetes management in schools; 2) transfer of one kind or another; and 3) assisting students in attaining independent diabetes management. Most school nurses highly emphasized collaborative communication as a critical component of care for successful transitions of students with T1D in school settings. School nurses focused on promoting independent diabetes management as students advanced their grades with increased developmental capabilities. School nurses contributed to the transitions of students with T1D by providing information about upcoming changes and maintaining care continuity. Developing a standardized care protocol is recommended for facilitating successful transitions of students with T1D in school settings.

Biography:

Dr. Mee Kyung Lee studied nursing at Seoul National University, South Korea, and graduated as BSN in 1999 and MSN in 2001. She received her MSN at Columbia University, USA, in 2007 and her PhD degree at the University of Washington in 2017. She worked in various clinical settings, such as a pediatric intensive care unit, primary care clinics, and school-based clinics in South Korea and USA. Her research interest includes self-management in students with type 1 diabetes in schools and school nurses’ roles in promoting health in this population. She works as an assistant professor at Merrimack College, USA.