A Qualitative Study Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore a parent’s sense of meaning in relation to the parenting of a child with type 1diabetes. Methods A qualitative collective case study design was used and 10 interviews conducted with parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Recruitment took place through the Winnipeg Diabetes Education and Resource for Children and Adolescents and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Categories were identified using qualitative content analysis. Findings Two major categories identified include being like every-one else and protecting the children. Implications Findings indicate that there is a need for greater diabetes education in schools. Diabetes educators can play a more proactive role in leading school based discussions with children, parents, and school staff. Parenting a child with type 1 diabetes involves continuous planning around the many areas associated with diabetes management, such as when the child ate last and when they will eat again, how much insulin to take, whether or not the child has enough diabetes supplies, as well as being aware of activity levels.1-5 Fears around the chil