What employees with diabetes mellitus need to cope at work: views of employees and health professionals.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and compare patient and professional perspectives on what enables employees with diabetes mellitus (DM) to maintain their position in the workplace. To provide information on how professionals can help DM patients cope at work.


METHODS
Qualitative study using concept-mapping sessions involving 23 employees with DM and 22 health professionals (GP's, occupational physicians and specialists). All of the health professionals were experts in the field of diabetes care.


RESULTS
Patients and professionals identified five common clusters of statements on what diabetics need to enable them to cope at work: the ability to accept and cope with DM, supportive health professionals, a supportive work environment, work adaptations and good information. Patients emphasized the importance of emotional acceptance of DM and communication with colleagues, while the professionals emphasized the patient's capacity for self-care.


CONCLUSIONS
The content of patient and professional perspectives on what is needed to prevent work-related problems for DM patients differed slightly. Patients rely on direct experiences in their own environment, professionals on medical knowledge accumulated in groups of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Both perspectives were used to suggest a topic list for health professionals, which may help identify and address the occupational problems experienced by DM patients.
Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Sarah I
SI
Detaille
Joke A
JA
Haafkens
Joost B
JB
Hoekstra
Frank J H
FJ
van Dijk
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003142:Communication; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009426:Netherlands; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support