1. Purpose. Although the conventional approach of simply “educating” patients with sufficient information concerning the details of their chronic health conditions has predominated, this paradigm has generally minimized the daily challenges of needing to manage one’s needs between office visits. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate the types of: a)experiences, and b)perceived barrier/facilitating activities preferred by patients as they have worked to formulate realistic diabetes management goals with professionals. 2. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework. No specific conceptual framework was observed pursuant to the qualitative methodology employed. 3. Subjects and Methodology. To date, the study sample has included 17 participants. Participants’ audiotaped comments made to a series of five open-ended questions have been systematically collected using one of the major focus group methods. These qualitative data are being analyzed using the general principles of an established content analysis method. 4. Results and Conclusions. The major conceptual themes identified in participants’ comments have included: a)“finding a place to start,” b)“differences between providers,” and c) “taking a new approach.” Although quite varied in their perspectives toward their diabetes care, most participants have expressed similar frustrations concerning their discussion with providers concerning diabetes care decisions. This study will comprise the first specific investigation of the “shared decision-making” office visit preferences and experiences of a sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. Ideally, these results will help initially clarify how patients may perceive health care professionals and clinic practices as affecting their participation in discussing realistic diabetes management goals in contemporary primary care settings. These results may also help facilitate the development of improved training protocols and programs to incorporate preferred SDM practices for patients into routine office visit care processes.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)