title: The experiences of diabetics on self-monitoring of blood glucose: a qualitative metasynthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To interpret, describe and analyse the results of various qualitative studies and comprehensively elucidate the self-monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients, and to make recommendations based on these findings for clinical practices.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Patients exhibited both positive and negative perceptions towards the self-monitoring of blood glucose. Numerous recent qualitative studies have explored the self-monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients; however, no integrated results have been provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative metasynthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search of English and Chinese databases was undertaken, covering the period between January 2004 and April 2014. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Airiti library and PsycInfo. Seven studies were assessed in the final analysis; the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument was used to evaluate these studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The self-monitoring experiences of patients with diabetes were divided into five themes: perceived disease severity, effects on daily life, lifestyle adjustments after becoming aware of blood glucose levels, determining the meaning of self-monitoring, and the differences between diabetic patients who use and do not use insulin. Individual differences in blood glucose self-monitoring vary widely among diabetic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These differences result from personal cognition and feelings concerning blood glucose monitoring. Insights into and discussions regarding the self-monitoring of blood glucose experiences of diabetic patients enable health care professionals to understand the factors that influence the intentions of patients to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose and facilitate establishing customised self-monitoring of blood glucose treatment plans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health care professionals must adopt flexible and individualised criteria to determine patient cognitive misconceptions, understand negative emotional reactions and provide individualised assistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chen-Mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang Yeh
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin
keywords: diabetes; experiences; metasynthesis; self-monitoring of blood glucose