The
Role of Patient & Physician in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes
There
are distinct barriers and facilitators in managing patients with
type 2 DM.
Few
studies have explored the contextual dimensions and
subsequent interactions that contribute to a lack of adherence in
the application of guidelines for diabetes management.
The
purpose of this qualitative study was to explore family
physicians' issues and perceptions regarding the barriers to
and facilitators of the management of patients with type 2
diabetes mellitus (DM).
Four
focus groups composed of family physicians (n= 30)
explored the participants' experiences in the management of
patients with type 2 DM. A semi-structured interview guide began
with questions on family physicians' experience of providing care
and included specific probes to stimulate discussion about the
various barriers to and facilitators of the management of type
2 DM in family practice.
The
results showed that Participants clearly identified type 2 DM as a
chronic disease most often managed by family physicians.
The findings revealed distinct barriers and facilitators in
managing patients with type 2 DM which fell into three
domains: patient factors; physician factors; and systemic
factors. There was a dynamic interplay among the three
factors. The important role of education was common to
each.
From
the study it was concluded that the interactions of patient, physician
and systemic factors have implications for the
implementation of a diabetes management model. The care of
patients with type 2 DM exemplifies the ongoing challenges
of caring for patients with a chronic disease in family
practice. The findings, while specific to the management of
type 2 DM, have potential transferability to other chronic
illnesses managed by family physicians.
Family
Practice Vol. 19, No. 4, 344-349
