Paediatric diabetes quality assurance project – Consumer/carer survey.

Abstract

Background/aim: High-quality healthcare for children with diabetes is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing complications of this chronic condition (Pihoker et al., 2014). Research indicates a positive correlation between patient experience and clinical outcomes, where patients can distinguish between clinical effectiveness, safety, and their overall experiences (Kingsley & Patel, 2017). However, limited data exists on consumer experience within the GH Ballarat Health Paediatric Diabetes Service. This study aims to explore the current experiences of consumers in the Grampians Health Paediatric Diabetes Service through a survey targeting carers. The findings will guide quality improvement initiatives and establish a benchmark for future assessments post-implementation. This study seeks to collect survey feedback from carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) within the GH Ballarat Paediatric Diabetes Service. It aims to assess consumer experiences to inform quality improvement activities and best care guidelines. 1. What is the current experience of carers within the Paediatric Diabetes Service? 2. What changes do carers suggest to enhance care quality? Population/setting: consumers in the Grampians Health Paediatric Diabetes Service. Methods: The survey was a Quality Assurance project conducted at Grampians Health Ballarat. Primary carers of children under 18, diagnosed with T1DM and receiving care from GH Ballarat were invited to participate. Feedback was collected anonymously through a text message link to a survey sent to all consumers with an active referral. The questions were framed based on existing Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) which capture patients' perceptions of their care experiences (Sherwani et al., 2016). Evidence shows that enhanced patient experience aligns with person-centred care principles, such as increased shared decision-making, better communication with providers, and improved care coordination (Sherwani et al., 2016). Results/findings: Survey results indicated that 60% of respondents desired increased access to clinicians, while 20% requested reduced wait times while attending appointments. Additional suggestions included integrating telehealth and psychological support into the service. Most feedback highlighted the quality of clinicians but noted inconsistencies in diabetes care across the GH Ballarat service. Translational impact/implications for future practice: Findings will inform targeted interventions to improve care quality and allow for future assessments of intervention effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to enhance the overall experience for paediatric diabetes patients and their carers, supporting better health outcomes.