Perceived support from healthcare practitioners among adults with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study of how adults with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support provided by healthcare practitioners and how various attributes of support can influence people's motivation to self-manage their disease.


BACKGROUND
Motivational problems seem to be a major reason for poor diabetes management. According to well-known theories of motivation, expectations of being able to perform certain behaviours are a key element. Different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners are likely to influence such expectations. To date, no researchers have specifically examined how people with type 2 diabetes perceive different attributes of support from healthcare practitioners and how these may influence their motivation to manage their disease themselves.


METHODS
A descriptive/explorative qualitative design and focus groups were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 19 adults with type 2 diabetes, and the data were collected in 2007 and analysed using qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
Five themes were identified, reflecting perceived attributes of support from healthcare practitioners: (1) an empathetic approach, (2) practical advice and information, (3) involvement in decision-making, (4) accurate and individualized information and (5) ongoing group-based support.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare practitioners may strengthen the self-management motivation among adults with type 2 diabetes by enhancing expectations of being able to perform the necessary diabetes care, and through the provision of empathetic, individualized, practical and ongoing group-based support.
Oftedal
Bjørg
B
Department of Health Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Norway. bjorg.oftedal@uis.no
Karlsen
Bjørg
B
Bru
Edvin
E
D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009664:Norway; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support