Cultural and Social Challenges of Diabetes Self-Management Education Through Physicians' Voices. WMJ 2018 Dec;117(5):219-223
Date
01/24/2019Pubmed ID
30674100Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85060377665 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to understand how the physician-patient relationship is related to referral practices for diabetes self-management education and physicians' perceptions of culturally competent health care delivery at a large health system affiliated with an academic medical center in a Midwestern city.
METHODS: Sixteen physicians (6 family medicine, 6 internal medicine, 4 endocrinology) participated in semistructured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Data were thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software.
RESULTS: All physicians considered diabetes self-management education a very important part of diabetes treatment, but physician referral patterns to diabetes education varied. Study findings indicated that both high and low referring physicians reported providing care that was responsive to personalized patient needs, including cultural beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that affect health/health care. Building relationships and rapport with patients led to discussions of understanding barriers to diabetes management.
CONCLUSION: This study highlights physicians' perceptions of and concerns about referrals to diabetes self-management education and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Physicians understood the personal, environmental, and health care factors that limit the number of racial/ethnic minorities from participating.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In addition to diabetes education, physicians suggested that additional resources or programs will help them address socioeconomic factors beyond their control and to understand cultural preferences.
Author List
Azam L, Meurer J, Nelson D, Asan O, Flynn K, Knudson P, Young SAuthors
Kathryn Eve Flynn PhD Vice Chair, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinPaul Knudson MD Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
John R. Meurer MD, MBA Institute Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
David A. Nelson PhD Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Staci A. Young PhD Sr Associate Dean, Associate Director, Professor in the Family Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAttitude of Health Personnel
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Physician-Patient Relations
Physicians
Referral and Consultation
Self-Management
