Diabetes Self-Care: Qualitative Research in the Field Essay

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Self-Care Coping Strategies in People With Diabetes: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

One of the greatest challenges of managing type 1 and 2 diabetes is that it is a lifestyle-related disease and as such must largely be monitored by the patient. "Diabetes self-care requires the patient to make many dietary and lifestyle changes" (Collins, Bradley, O'Sullivan, & Perry 2009). It can be extremely difficult for the patient to undertake such changes on a daily basis when returned to the environment which has many temptations to eschew eating healthfully and exercising. According to the study "Self-care coping strategies in people with diabetes: a qualitative exploratory study," there is a need to better understand what factors better promote self-care to prescribe more effective treatment regimens for sufferers.

Purpose and research questions

To better understand the degree to which patients may struggle with self-monitoring, this qualitative, exploratory study was undertaken using a sample of 17 patients from GP practices and diabetes clinics in Ireland. It included patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. The patients has been prescribed a variety of self-care regimes (both oral and insulin-dependent) and had a wide range of different associated complications. This was designed to gain a full and generalized portrait of self-care in relation to the illness.

The main method of assessment deployed was the use of tape-recorded and transcribed semi-structured interviews which were coded using open and axial procedures. Responses were classified after the fact according to generalized categories which were then validated by an outside authority. The categories which emerged corresponded with "health belief, health value, self-efficacy, and locus of control frameworks" (Collins, Bradley, O'Sullivan, & Perry 2009). This study was designed to act as a guide for future treatment programs and to better understand the management of an increasingly common illness.

Literature review

The author used both qualitative and quantitative studies to justify the purpose of the research study.

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Both recent and historical studies were cited as part of the review. For example, the author noted that a large-scale intervention study found that tighter glucose control has been associated with more effective containment of blood sugar reading and better metabolic control. This was enabled with the introduction of home glucose monitoring in the 1980s. As well as improvements in technology, however, better support structures were also helpful. "A recent qualitative study examining self- monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes suggests the role of the health professional is crucial to patient understanding of their blood glucose fluctuations and whether or not the patient responds to the high blood glucose reading with an appropriate self-care action" (Collins, Bradley, O'Sullivan, & Perry 2009).

While the literature review is comprehensive in its diversity of types of studies, one problem is that the authors do not always specifically cite the names of those who performed the study in the text of the article; this information is available if the citations are consulted on the works cited page but can make for confusing reading. Also, the study results are reported without specific statistics supporting the analysis as in this example. "A meta-analysis of self-management education for adults with type 2 diabetes, reported self-management education improves glycaemic control at immediate follow-up, and increased contact time increases the effect. However, the benefit declines one to three months after the intervention ceases, suggesting that learned behaviours may change over time and continuing education is necessary" (Collins, Bradley, O'Sullivan, & Perry 2009). This information is interesting and useful but it is difficult to evaluate the quality of the study based upon the way the results are presented. The quality of research of the studies composing the meta-analysis and the specific, stated aim of the study are not stated.

One or two specific named studies are referenced such.....

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