To meet the complex and ever-changing demands of living with diabetes, all children, teens, and their families should have access to and be able to work with an experienced diabetes health care team. Each professional in this group brings unique experience and expertise to the care of the child or teen and the support of the family. At the centre of this interdisciplinary team, however, are the child and the family, because care must be tailored to meet their individual needs. The “core“ team should also include:
- a physician, usually a paediatric endocrinologist or diabetologist
- a diabetes nurse, often called a diabetes nurse educator
- a diabetes dietitian
- a social worker or counsellor
Members of the “extended” team, in addition to other family members, include:
- the family practitioner or paediatrician
- school personnel
- recreation workers
- the pharmacist
- babysitters
- others who share responsibility for child care and/or family support