Diabetes Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Diabetes, including details on insulin, type i, type ii, diet, treatment, prevention.

Advancing the science of perceptual accuracy in pediatric asthma and diabetes.

Lane MM

Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, USA. mxlane1@texaschildrenshospital.org

OBJECTIVES: To review research on perceptual accuracy in pediatric asthma and diabetes and to provide recommendations for future research efforts and clinical applications of the construct in these populations. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using Medline and PsychInfo databases as well as the bibliographies of relevant articles. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with asthma or diabetes evidence considerable variability in perceptual accuracy and frequently make clinically relevant errors that have the potential to affect self-management behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for future research include studying distinct types of perceptual errors, empirically supporting the relationship between perceptual accuracy and relevant outcomes, identifying factors related to perceptual inaccuracy, and conducting longitudinal research and intervention studies. Recommendations for applying the construct in clinical practice include adopting an individualized approach to symptoms to guide patient education and management, identifying patients prone to making clinically relevant errors, and developing and implementing interventions to improve accuracy.

Published 9 March 2006 in J Pediatr Psychol, 31(3): 233-45.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Diabetes Research Today. All Rights Reserved.