Exploring risk, prevention and educational approaches for the non-diabetic offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes--a qualitative study

Communicating with Companions. The Impact of Companion Empowerment and Companion Literacy on the Well-being of Elderly Patients

The complexity of the current healthcare ecosystem justifies the convenience of targeting patients' companions in health communication strategies. Designing successful interventions requires taking into account which keys should be pressed in companions in order to generate positive outcomes in the accompanied patients. In particular, this paper explores how companion health empowerment and companion health literacy affect the well-being of chronically-ill elderly patients. Data for this research come from a cross-sectional quantitative study including 1,814 individuals (907 chronically-ill elderly patients and their 907 companions). Data were collected through two online questionnaires, one for patients and one for companions. The findings suggest that companion health empowerment is defined by the dimensions information search empowerment and knowledge development and decision participation empowerment. Furthermore, the distinction between functional, interactive and critical health literacy has revealed to be useful for comprehending companion health literacy. A structural equation model shows that critical health literacy sets the threshold above which companion health literacy improves accompanied patient well-being, even more so when it is backed up by companion information search empowerment and by companion knowledge development and decision participation empowerment.

Is diagnosis of type 2 diabetes a "teachable moment"? A qualitative study

AIMS

To explore the potential of type 2 diabetes diagnosis to be a "teachable moment".

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants (10 people with type 2 diabetes, 13 relatives of people with type 2 diabetes) in Scotland, UK. They explored cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes following diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in oneself or in a relative. Data were analysed using Framework approach.

RESULTS

Strong emotional responses are not always related to the occurrence of a teachable moment. Risk perception and outcome expectancy were found to be teachable moment factors for patients with type 2 diabetes and their offspring, but not their partners. Change in self-concept increases the likelihood of type 2 diabetes diagnosis to be a teachable moment for patients but not for relatives. In some cases, type 2 diabetes is perceived as incompatible with current roles thus hindering diabetes self-management. Relatives often engage in caring for patients and "policing" their behaviour but did not report perceived changes in social roles.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is a teachable moment for some patients and their relatives. These findings have implications for interventions to address diabetes self-management in patients and primary prevention in their relatives.

Nursing Students’ Experiences With Type 2 Diabetes in Jordan: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased worldwide due to lifestyle factors, such as obesity and inactivity, and nurses have an essential role in supporting healthy life situations. The aim was to describe nursing students’ experiences with type 2 diabetes in Jordan with regard to prevention and nursing care. Interviews with eight nursing students were performed. Data were analyzed using content analysis. One category and two subcategories were generated: managing challenges in daily life to prevent type 2 diabetes and promote patient safety, managing risk factors, and dealing with difficulties. Empowerment and person-centered care are tools to increase patients’ self-care to motivate them to live a healthy lifestyle within the whole family to prevent and decrease illness.

Talking About Type 2 Diabetes: Family Communication From the Perspective of At-Risk Relatives

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe type 2 diabetes (T2DM) communication and risk reduction recommendations from the perspective of family members at risk for T2DM based on family history.

METHODS

Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 individuals with a first-degree relative with T2DM. Participants were recruited from the community and a previous pharmacogenetics study. Deductive and inductive codes were applied to the transcripts.

RESULTS

Conversations with family members with and without T2DM focused on symptoms and disease management of the family member with T2DM. With at-risk relatives, conversations also focused on prevention. Lack of perceived relevance to family members without T2DM was a barrier to communication. Recommendations to facilitate communication included education of an at-risk family member to increase awareness of risk, followed by sharing of learned information with others.

CONCLUSION

Efforts are needed to increase awareness and improve communication about T2DM risk factors, familial risk, and risk reduction behaviors within families with a family history of T2DM. Family members with and without T2DM should be encouraged to communicate with their relatives about T2DM and the risk to family members. Identification of family members who can facilitate communication, education, and modeling of healthy behaviors may increase awareness and motivate at-risk individuals to engage in risk-reducing behaviors.