Medication knowledge and self-management by people with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To explore medication knowledge and self-management practices of people with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A one-shot cross sectional study using in-depth interviews and participant observation.


METHODS
Diabetes outpatient education centre of a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
People with type 2 diabetes, n=30, 17 males and 13 females, age range 33-84, from a range of ethnic groups.


METHODS
Ability to state name, main actions and when to take medicines. Performance of specific medication-related tasks; opening bottles and packs, breaking tablets in half, administering insulin, and testing blood glucose.


RESULTS
Average medication use > or = 10years. Respondents were taking 86 different medicines, mean 7 +/- 2.97 SD. Dose frequency included two, three and four times per day. All respondents had > or = 2 diabetic complications +/- other comorbidities. The majority (93%) were informed about how and when to take their medicines, but only 37% were given information about side effects and 17% were given all possible seven items of information. Younger respondents received more information than older respondents. Older respondents had difficulty opening bottles and breaking tablets in half. Twenty percent regularly forgot to take their medicines. Increasing medication costs was one reason for stopping medicines or reducing the dose or dose interval. The majority tested their blood glucose but did not control test their meters and 33% placed used sharps directly into the rubbish.


CONCLUSIONS
Polypharmacy was common. Medication knowledge and self-management were inadequate and could lead to adverse events.
Dunning
Trisha
T
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St Vincent's Hospital, School of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. trish.dunning@svhm.org.au
Manias
Elizabeth
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011306:Prescription Fees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012646:Self Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014739:Victoria
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal