Using the IPQ and PMDI to predict regular diabetes care-seeking among patients with Type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives were, first, to identify factors associated with regular diabetes care-seeking and, second, to compare the performance of the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) and a modified version of the Personal Models of Diabetes Interview (PMDI) in predicting care-seeking.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving 42 patients who had not attended hospital diabetes clinic for a period of 18 months or more and 42 matched controls receiving specialist care. Differences in illness representations between clinic attenders and non-attenders were examined. Due to the variability in care-seeking between non-attenders (ranging from no contact with health professionals to regular general practitioners care), participants were then reclassified for further analyses into those receiving regular care from either hospital diabetes clinic or general practice (n = 52) and those receiving no regular care (n = 32).


RESULTS
Patients not seeking regular care held more negative views of the control, course and consequences of diabetes than those who received regular care. Regression analyses showed that the most important construct was treatment effectiveness. Treatment effectiveness (PMDI) and control (IPQ) dimensions were associated with clinic attendance. PMDI constructs of treatment effectiveness, threat and worries were associated with regular care-seeking.


CONCLUSIONS
IPQ and PMDI results were generally consistent. In order to understand diabetes care-seeking behaviour it is important to measure beliefs about the benefits of treatment recommendations in addition to those of the disease itself. Emotional and cognitive responses to diabetes should be assessed.
Lawson
Valerie L
VL
Wrexham Academic Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, UK. val.lawson@new-tr.wales.nhs.uk
Bundy
Christine
C
Lyne
Patricia A
PA
Harvey
John N
JN
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom