Opinions of patients with type 2 diabetes about responsibility, setting targets and willingness to take medication. A cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess opinions and their determinants of patients with type 2 diabetes about responsibility for managing their diabetes, setting treatment targets and willingness taking medication.


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


RESULTS
opinions about responsibility, targets and medication. Multinomial logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Data of 994 consecutive persons were analysed (mean age 65 years; 54% males). Of these 62% agreed to take responsibility for their diabetes. In the opinion of 89% the setting of targets should be by or in cooperation with their physician or nurse and 40% were willing to take tablets until all targets were attained. Patients who perceived dysfunction by barriers to activity did not agree to take responsibility (OR 3.68; 1.65-8.19). Patients with complications preferred to set targets in cooperation with their physician or nurse (OR 1.98; 1.03-3.80). Males were more willing to take tablets until all targets were attained (OR 1.62; 1.17-2.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Not all patients want to take responsibility for their diabetes or taking all necessary tablets, especially those with barriers to activity or complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Doctors and nurses should ask for patients' opinions about responsibility and treatment goals before starting education.
Gorter
Kees J
KJ
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. K.J.Gorter@umcutrecht.nl
Tuytel
Gerwi J
GJ
de Leeuw
Rob R
RR
Bensing
Jozien M
JM
Rutten
Guy E H M
GE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010358:Patient Participation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires