Objectives: The ADA has recommended routine behavioral health screening of youth with T1D given the associations among psychological factors (e.g., depression and anxiety), the skills necessary to manage diabetes (executive functioning), and adherence and health outcomes. Anecdotally, concerns of healthcare providers and staff have included stigma, inconvenience, time, and/or unacceptable burden. However, family acceptance of behavioral health screening has not been systematically assessed.

Methods: After administering a screening protocol for youth with T1D, we administered a brief patient satisfaction questionnaire. The screening protocol included the PHQ-9, GAD-7, DREFS-SF, and the DSMP-SF. During this pilot, 57 youth (11-18 years), and 84 parents completed the screenings. Youth and parents completed the brief quality improvement survey after completing the behavioral health screening. Youth and parents responded to questions using a five-point scale from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.”

Results:

 Questions Parent Child 
1. Completing questionnaires was an inconvenience 4.8% 1.8% 
2. The Information from questionnaires is important for diabetes care providers 98.8% 94.6% 
3. Completing the questionnaire was a burden to me or my family 6.1% 7.1% 
4. The questionnaires were too long 2.4% 1.8% 
5. The questionnaire about how well diabetes has been managed was helpful 98.8% 96.4% 
 Questions Parent Child 
1. Completing questionnaires was an inconvenience 4.8% 1.8% 
2. The Information from questionnaires is important for diabetes care providers 98.8% 94.6% 
3. Completing the questionnaire was a burden to me or my family 6.1% 7.1% 
4. The questionnaires were too long 2.4% 1.8% 
5. The questionnaire about how well diabetes has been managed was helpful 98.8% 96.4% 
View Large

Conclusions: Concerns regarding family satisfaction with behavioral health screening of youth with T1D were unfounded. Behavioral health screening was very acceptable to the vast majority of youth and parents with no indication that there was stigma associated with behavioral health issues.

Disclosure

D.C. Duke: None. H. Nagra: None. M. Jones: None. M. Bolen: None. M.A. Harris: Consultant; Self; Eli Lilly and Company.

© 2018 by the American Diabetes Association.
2018
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