Challenges faced in daily life by persons with type 2 diabetes: A meta-synthesis

A theory based study on diabetes self-management in older Chinese adults

Approximately 1 in 3 (or 80 million) Chinese age 60 years or older are living with type 2 diabetes in China. New perspectives are needed to understand the intricate phenomenon of diabetes self-management (DSM) in older Chinese adults. Guided by the expanded Tripartite Model of Self-Management, this study aimed to identify the inter-relationships between the tripartite components simultaneously and their influencing factors. This cross-sectional study included a stratified random sample of 98 community-dwelling adults age 60 or older with type 2 diabetes. Findings revealed distinct predictors for knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors and coping. There were significant inter-relationships among the tripartite components. The theoretical model was a good fit for the data. This study provides valuable insights into the complex relationships between knowledge about DSM, DSM behaviors, and coping strategies, offering direct implications for improving the health outcomes of older adults with diabetes.

Living with type 2 diabetes: A social cognitive perspective on adherence

OBJECTIVE

This mixed methods study examines the relationship between outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It also explores the personal values motivating these behaviors through in-depth interviews.

METHODS

Adults with T2DM (n = 108, M age = 57 years, 58% female, 48% Black) completed questionnaires and participated in in-depth interviews using a laddering technique.

RESULTS

Ordinary least squares regression models were used to analyze the relationships between self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and four self-care behaviors (physical activity, dietary choices, blood glucose monitoring, and medication usage). The findings indicate that self-efficacy is significantly and positively associated with diet and physical activity. Both outcome expectations for blood glucose testing and self-efficacy are significantly and positively associated with self-reported monitoring. However, neither outcome expectation nor self-efficacy is associated with medication usage. The in-depth interviews revealed three common values related to self-care behaviors: maintaining health and longevity, agentic values of self-control, achievement, and self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.

CONCLUSIONS

This study sheds light on the complexity of diabetes self-management, offering insights into individuals' values, behavioral strategies, and the influence of control perceptions on this relationship, revealing both differences and commonalities in stated values.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

By understanding how personal values drive diabetes self-care behaviors, practitioners can assist patients in establishing meaningful connections between their values and the challenges of living with diabetes.

Exploring the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours related to the self-management practices of adults with type 2 diabetes

This qualitative research study explored the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of adults aged between 35 and 45 who managed their type 2 diabetes effectively and adults who struggled with diabetes self-management in a South African setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults who engaged in either successful self-management or who struggled with self-management. Effective management was characterised by an HbA1c level of 8% or lower. This group comprised of nine individuals. The participants who faced challenges with self-management had HbA1c levels ranging between 10% and 14%. This group consisted of eight participants. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, and four main themes were identified: the emotional experience, prominent cognitions, practising acceptance and the mechanisms of behavioural change. These themes identified key determinants of individuals' self-management practices and can contribute to providing information for future cognitive behaviour therapy interventions to be developed that target specific components to improve self-management practices.

Effectiveness of a nurse-led personalized patient engagement program to promote type 2 diabetes self-management: A randomized controlled trial

PHEinAction® is a theory-based nurse-led patient engagement intervention developed among an Italian older adult population with various chronic diseases to facilitate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes in promoting individuals' active roles. This study aims to adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of PHEinAction® on diabetes self-management (DSM) among Turkish type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. First, the generic content of the intervention was customized for diabetes management and adapted for the Turkish population, including back-forward translation and expert panel evaluation; then, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with 51 adult diabetes patients randomly assigned to intervention or the control group receiving the usual care. The intervention consisted of two in-person sessions of 4-week intervals, a telephone consultation, and home-based written exercises, which involved personalized care activities addressing individuals' engagement levels and covering the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. The scores for treatment adherence, self-efficacy, and patient engagement had significantly improved with a large size effect in the intervention group at the fourth-week follow-up compared with the control group. Findings suggest that the nurse-led personalized patient engagement program could effectively promote DSM.

Complementary elements of support after gastric-bypass surgery perceived by adults with previous type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study 2 years after bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is the most medically and cost-effective treatment for adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our findings suggest initial improvements in health-related quality of life that may decline as support from follow-up care ends. How patients experience long-term support is not well described. This study therefore aimed to investigate how adults with previous T2DM perceived different sources of support 2 years after bariatric surgery. In this qualitative study, individual interviews were conducted with 13 adults (10 women) 2 years after surgery. Using thematic analysis, one overarching theme (compiling complementary elements of support after gastric-bypass surgery), four themes and nine subthemes emerged. The results show that support was given and received from various sources, support needs varied over time depending on where the patient was in the process and that the sources of support were complementary. To conclude, our results show that support needs change in adults who have undergone bariatric surgery. Long-term professional and day-to-day support from family and other networks are essential and complementary elements of support. Healthcare staff should consider these findings, especially during the early follow-up period.

Mediation role of patient engagement on the association between health literacy and self-care behaviours in individuals with type 2 diabetes

AIM

This study examined the relationship between health literacy and self-care behaviours among individuals with type 2 diabetes and whether the association is mediated by patient engagement.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2019 and September 2020. The sample consisted of 218 participants with type 2 diabetes, older than 18 years old, applying to two endocrine outpatient clinics in Turkey. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify the relationship between health literacy and self-care behaviours. The Sobel test method was used to examine the mediation role of patient engagement.

RESULTS

Sample characteristics included mean age of 53.7 years, 57.3% were female and the mean A1C was 7.8%. The regression equation analyses demonstrated that health literacy (β = 0.219, P < 0.05) and patient engagement (β = 2.844, P < 0.05) significantly predicted diabetes self-care behaviours. Patient engagement served a mediational role in the association of health literacy and self-care behaviours (z value = 2.049, P < 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Given the relationship between health literacy and diabetes self-care behaviours, the patient engagement concept presented a practical insight into the applicability of health-related information. Clinicians are recommended to consider patients' health literacy and engagement levels while planning customized interventions to facilitate diabetes management.

The Perspectives of Patients with Chronic Diseases and Their Caregivers on Self-Management Interventions: A Scoping Review of Reviews

BACKGROUND

Self-management (SM) interventions are supportive interventions systematically provided by healthcare professionals, peers, or laypersons to increase the skills and confidence of patients in their ability to manage chronic diseases. We had two objectives: (1) to summarise the preferences and experiences of patients and their caregivers (informal caregivers and healthcare professionals) with SM in four chronic diseases and (2) to identify and describe the relevant outcomes for SM interventions from these perspectives.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed-methods scoping review of reviews. We searched three databases until December 2020 for quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods reviews exploring patients' and caregivers' preferences or experiences with SM in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart failure (HF). Quantitative data were narratively synthesised, and qualitative data followed a three-step descriptive thematic synthesis. Identified themes were categorised into outcomes or modifiable factors of SM interventions.

RESULTS

We included 148 reviews covering T2DM (n = 53 [35.8%]), obesity (n = 20 [13.5%]), COPD (n = 32 [21.6%]), HF (n = 38 [25.7%]), and those with more than one disease (n = 5 [3.4%]). We identified 12 main themes. Eight described the process of SM (disease progression, SM behaviours, social support, interaction with healthcare professionals, access to healthcare, costs for patients, culturally defined roles and perceptions, and health knowledge), and four described their experiences with SM interventions (the perceived benefit of the intervention, individualised care, sense of community with peers, and usability of equipment). Most themes and subthemes were categorised as outcomes of SM interventions.

CONCLUSION

The process of SM shaped the perspectives of patients and their caregivers on SM interventions. Their perspectives were influenced by the perceived benefit of the intervention, the sense of community with peers, the intervention's usability, and the level of individualised care. Our findings can inform the selection of patient-important outcomes, decision-making processes, including the formulation of recommendations, and the design and implementation of SM interventions.

Effects of diabetes self-management education program on lowering blood glucose level, stress, and quality of life among females with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Thailand

Aim:

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on lowering blood glucose level, stress, and quality of life (QoL) among female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Thailand.

Background:

The burden of noncommunicable diseases has increased globally, and it has negatively affected the QoL of diabetic patients.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental study was conducted by including 77 T2DM patients selected from 2 public health centers in Thailand. The respondents were randomly selected 38 in control group and 39 in intervention group. Pretested, piloted, and validated tool were used during this study. Knowledge on blood glucose level, stress, and QoL was measured at baseline and then compared to end line after 3 months of the intervention. The effects of intervention were estimated by regression coefficient of intervention on blood glucose level and QoL. The study was ethically approved by the Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.

Findings:

Baseline characteristics of both the groups were similar before the start of the intervention and there were no significant differences observed in age, education, blood sugar monitoring behavior, medical checkup, knowledge, self-care, stress, and hemoglobin HbA1c (>0.05). However, blood HbA1c, stress level, and QoL among the T2DM patients had significant changes (<0.05) after the intervention. The control group was remained same and there was no statistically significant difference reported (>0.05).

Conclusions:

The study concluded that the designed intervention of DSME has proved effective in lowering the blood sugar level, HbA1c level, stress level, and improved QoL among T2DM patients during this limited period of time. Hence, policy-makers can replicate this intervention for diabetic patients in a similar context.

Patient decision aids in clinical practice for people with diabetes: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with diabetes need to make regular choices that influence their long-term morbidity and mortality. Patient decision aids are validated tools and when used collaboratively between healthcare professionals, patients and carers, can help guide value-based discussions which encourage choices that are well informed and personally relevant.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the use and effect of patient decision aids in the management of diabetes.

METHOD

A scoping review design was used. Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between January 1998 and December 2018.

RESULTS

Patient decision aids are not commonly or widely used in diabetes management. They offer a suitable adjunct to practice within the domains of healthcare knowledge, active participation, and communication, and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

Patient decision aids can offer a simple and easy-to-use method to potentially improve diabetes health literacy, through the process of shared decision-making and two-way conversations. However, there are current limitations on using them to positively influence clinical outcomes or long-term changes in self-care behaviors within the management of diabetes. Further research to explore the validity of using patient decision aids long term in these areas is required.