A Critical Social Theory Approach to Nursing Care of Adolescents With Diabetes

This paper explores the viewpoint that, as a group, adolescents with diabetes are oppressed by health care professionals who use approaches to diabetes care delivery that are paternalistic in nature. These approaches can lead to negative health/diabetes outcomes in this age group. As inherent in oppressed group characteristics, adolescents with diabetes may not realize that they are being treated unfairly or that they have rights as patients. Nurses are in a unique position to advocate for these adolescents and to help them become advocates for themselves.