title: The importance of social support for people with type 2 diabetes - a qualitative study with general practitioners, practice nurses and patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Social support is an important element of family medicine within a primary care setting, delivered by general practitioners and practice nurses in addition to usual clinical care. The aim of the study was to explore general practitioner's, practice nurse's and people with type 2 diabetes' views, experiences and perspectives of the importance of social support in caring for people with type 2 diabetes and their role in providing social support.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews with general practitioners (n=10) and focus groups with practice nurses (n=10) and people with diabetes (n=9). All data were audio-recorded, fully transcribed and thematically analysed using qualitative content analysis by Mayring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants emphasized the importance of the concept of social support and its impacts on well-being of people with type 2 diabetes. Social support is perceived helpful for people with diabetes in order to improve diabetes control and give support for changes in lifestyle habits (physical activity and dietary changes). General practitioners identified a lack of information about facilities in the community like sports or self-help groups. Practice nurses emphasized that they need more training, such as in dietary counselling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social support given by general practitioners and practice nurses plays a crucial role for people with type 2 diabetes and is an additional component of social care. However there is a need for an increased awareness by general practitioners and practice nurses about the influence social support could have on the individual's diabetes management.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szecsenyi
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rosemann
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rueter
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raum
authors.forename: Herrmann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miksch