Consumer issues in navigating health care services for type I diabetes

Despite increasing interest in consumer awareness and participation in heal th care service delivery, there has been little exploration of consumer vie ws in relation to services for people with type I diabetes. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to identify strategie s people with type I diabetes used to access health services and the barrie rs they perceived in accessing the services they needed. Data gathered in semi-structured interviews revealed that consumers experie nce significant barriers when navigating the health care system. Three dominant themes were identified. They relate to access to specialist medical skill, to the transition from teenager to young adult and to prepre gnancy and obstetric care. Directions for change in service delivery and policy development are discus sed.