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Experiences of diabetes self‐management: a focus group study among Australians with type 2 diabetes

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  • Mary Carolan
  • Jessica Holman
  • Michelle Ferrari

Abstract

Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and concerns of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in a predominantly low socio‐economic setting. Background Currently, approximately 1 million Australians have diabetes and rates have more than doubled since 1989. Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for approximately 85% of diabetes cases. Risk factors include obesity, older age, low socio‐economic status, sedentary lifestyle and ethnicity. Older individuals from low socio‐economic backgrounds are particularly at risk of both developing and of mismanaging their condition. Design Exploratory qualitative design. Methods Focus groups were used to collect data from 22 individuals, aged 40 to more than 70 years, with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who were attending local health services for their diabetes care. Focus groups ranged in size from four to eight individuals and all were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Participants described their experiences of managing their diabetes as emotionally, physically and socially challenging. Data analysis revealed four main themes including: (1) diabetes the silent disease; (2) a personal journey (3) the work of managing diabetes; and (4) access to resources and services. Throughout, participants highlighted the impact of diabetes on the family, and the importance of family members in providing support and encouragement to assist their self‐management efforts. Conclusions Participants in this study were generally satisfied with their diabetes care but identified a need for clear simple instruction immediately post‐diagnosis, followed by a need for additional informal information when they had gained some understanding of their condition. Relevance to clinical practice Findings reveal a number of unmet information and support needs for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In particular, it is important for healthcare professionals and family members to recognise the significant emotional burden that diabetes imposes, and the type and quantity of information individuals with diabetes prefer. It is also important to consider levels of health literacy in the community when developing diabetes‐related information or programmes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary Carolan & Jessica Holman & Michelle Ferrari, 2015. "Experiences of diabetes self‐management: a focus group study among Australians with type 2 diabetes," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(7-8), pages 1011-1023, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:24:y:2015:i:7-8:p:1011-1023
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marika Tammaru & Kaja Polluste & Margus Lember, 2010. "The sources of disease‐related information for Estonia’s rheumatoid arthritis patients: a qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(9‐10), pages 1343-1351, May.
    2. Mary Cooke & Sue Thackray, 2012. "Differences between community professional and patient perceptions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment outcomes: a qualitative study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(11‐12), pages 1524-1533, June.
    3. Paul Zimmet & K. G. M. M. Alberti & Jonathan Shaw, 2001. "Global and societal implications of the diabetes epidemic," Nature, Nature, vol. 414(6865), pages 782-787, December.
    4. Savoca, Margaret R & Miller, Carla K & Quandt, Sara A, 2004. "Profiles of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the extremes of glycemic control," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(12), pages 2655-2666, June.
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    1. Eileen Boyle & Rosemary Saunders & Vicki Drury, 2016. "A qualitative study of patient experiences of Type 2 Diabetes care delivered comparatively by General Practice Nurses and Medical Practitioners," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(13-14), pages 1977-1986, July.
    2. Laura K. Bech & Camilla Borch Jacobsen & Anne Sophie Mathiesen & Thordis Thomsen, 2019. "Preferring to manage by myself: A qualitative study of the perspectives of hardly reached people with type 2 diabetes on social support for diabetes management," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(9-10), pages 1889-1898, May.
    3. Cecilia Gardsten & Kerstin Blomqvist & Mikael Rask & Åse Larsson & Agneta Lindberg & Gith Olsson, 2018. "Challenges in everyday life among recently diagnosed and more experienced adults with type 2 diabetes: A multistage focus group study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(19-20), pages 3666-3678, October.

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