Psychosocial meetings

1. Psychosocial meetings Dr Deepak Chowdhary Specialty Doctor Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals For Further enquiry, contact Dr Chizo Agwu, Consultant in Paediatric Diabetes, SWBH 0121 5073358

2. Introduction • The psychosocial impact of diabetes in childhood is ubiquitous and involves the entire family, as well as schools and society as a whole. • Striking a balance among hypoglycemia / hyperglycemia, growth/development, and other life factors is not easy for health care providers, patients, or families. • Personal, family, or environmental conditions may compound the delicate balance needed to maintain good glycemic control

3. At SWBH, to ensure we fully understand all the factors that may impact on a child’s diabetes control: • we hold monthly psychosocial meetings • Meetings last 1hour • Only 1 child is discussed

4. Who is discussed? • Any child who is having difficulties with any aspect of their diabetes care • Any member of the team can put child forward for discussion

5. Aims of Psychosocial meetings • To identify the psychosocial factors that may be having an impact on a young person’s diabetes control • To have a clearer understanding of family and school relationships • Review the patients notes and understand trends etc

6. Organisation of the meetings • The Registrar • reviews and summarises medical case notes • reviews and summarises information from diabetes nurse specialists, psychologists, school teachers and school health nurse • Invites relevant stakeholders to meeting

7. At end of meeting • All agree a formulation of what the relevant issues are • Agree an action plan • Action plans are discussed with parents if required • These are filed in notes and reviewed at monthly team meetings

8. Advantage • Review of clinical notes reminds you of issues you may have forgotten over the years • Team has better understanding of child and factors affecting their diabetes control • It is a more structured approach to care • Can form part of High HBA1c policy