Experience of knowledge and skills that are essential in self-managing a chronic condition - a focus group study among people with type 2 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to gain new knowledge about how people experience participating in diabetes self-management courses with other people with type 2 diabetes and how they perceive this influences their health and ability to self-manage the disease.


METHODS
We conducted five focus groups with 22 people with type 2 diabetes who had participated in a group-based diabetes self-management course. We systematically coded the data and analysed them using Knodel's method.


RESULTS
Participants gained more nuanced and specific knowledge by participating in a group setting. They increased their theoretical and practical understanding of how to handle diabetes in everyday life. The diabetes self-management course made the participants more aware of having a disease they had to take more seriously. Learning by being in the situation while guided by professionals was useful. In addition, the participation learned from each other by carrying out real tasks in a context with others struggling with similar treatment demands. They wished more room to perform practical tasks and more independent activity. Further, they suggested to make parts of the course accessible online. Still, it was noted that web-based solutions cannot replace the practical parts or the dialogue between the participants. They expressed both a need and a wish for a refresher course.


CONCLUSIONS
This study underscored that the participants learned through concrete experience, and by trying out practical tasks by becoming part of the diabetes community. They felt safer regarding their own treatment by experiencing a variety of situations in real-life scenarios.
Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Voss Hospital, Haukeland University Hospital, The Western Norway Region Health Authority, Voss, Norway.
Ann Jorunn
AJ
Herre
Faculty of Health and Social Science, Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway.|Department of Pediatrics, Haukeland University Hospital, The Western Norway Region Health Authority, Bergen, Norway.
Marit
M
Graue
Vossevangen Medical Centre, Voss, Norway.
Beate-Christin Hope
BC
Kolltveit
Department of Global Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.|Faculty of Health and Social Care, Molde University College, Molde, Norway.
Eva
E
Gjengedal
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy
focus group; knowledge; patient education; qualitative research; self-management; type 2 diabetes