Preferences and opinions of patients with Type 2 diabetes on education and self-care: a cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the preferences of patients with Type 2 diabetes regarding self-care activities and diabetes education.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey carried out in general practices and outpatient clinics across the Netherlands.


RESULTS
preferred setting for education, preferred educator, and preferred and most burdensome self-care activity. Multinomial logistic regression analysis assessed associations between outcomes and patient characteristics, preferences and opinions.


RESULTS
Data of 994 consecutive individuals were analysed (mean 65 years; 54% male; 97% Caucasian; 21% low education level; 80% primary care). Of these, 19% thought they had poor to average glycaemic control, 61% thought they were over-weight and 32% thought they took too little exercise. Eighty per cent of respondents preferred diabetes education during regular diabetes check-ups. Patients taking insulin preferred education to be given by nurses [odds ratio (OR) 2.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-4.96]. Individuals who thought their health to be poor/average preferred education to be given by doctors (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.08-2.53). Physical exercise was the preferred self-care activity of those who thought they took too little exercise (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.32-2.93) but was preferred less by patients with mobility problems (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.43-0.97). Patients with eating disinhibition reported keeping to a healthy diet (OR 4.63; 3.00-7.16) and taking medication (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.09-2.52) as the most burdensome self-care activities. Age was not an independent determinant of any preference.


CONCLUSIONS
When providing education for patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, healthcare providers should consider making a tailored education plan, irrespective of the patient's age.
Gorter
K J
KJ
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands. K.J.Gorter@umcutrecht.nl
Tuytel
G H
GH
de Leeuw
J R J
JR
van der Bijl
J J
JJ
Bensing
J M
JM
Rutten
G E H M
GE
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires