Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease often diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, including life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Screening For T1D is increasingly being evaluated in research due to the potential to identify patients early, enable screening, and provide access to therapies that delay onset of T1D. Currently, there is a gap in research on how to facilitate patient-centered communication about T1D screening to enable shared decision-making. Here, we explore perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on developing communication strategies to support pediatric T1D screening.

Methods: We reviewed existing patient-facing resources about T1D screening programs and, using these, created three patient-facing handouts. The focus of these handouts were 1) T1D in general, 2) screening for T1D, and 3) next steps after completing screening. HCPs were asked to review these materials prior to their participation in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were designed to gain an understanding of how to optimize these patient-facing resources and identify the communication strategies for effective implementation of T1D pediatric screening. The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), a well-studied health communication model, was applied to interview data and interpretation.

Results: We conducted interviews with 15 HCPs, including 10 HCPs from general pediatrics and 5 certified diabetes educators. Overall, HCPs viewed the materials favorably but noted some key areas to change. Regarding threat appraisal, many HCPs desired more background education around T1D being an autoimmune disease, the associated health risks, and ages to consider screening. For efficacy appraisal, HCPs needed more information about how to facilitate screening and interpret and act upon the results (e.g., treatments). HCPs also wanted more resources and communication materials addressing response efficacy such as recommended ages to conduct screening. Overall, HCPs wanted multiple types of communication resources, including outreach, digital electronic health record materials, and options for directly sharing the information with patients and parents.

Discussion: Findings demonstrate key areas for intervention using communication strategies to improve T1D screening.