Verified Document

Diabetes Self-Care: Qualitative Research In The Field Essay

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....

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 as the fact that Bradley et al. observed "patients reported a higher self-care burden when insulin…

Sources used in this document:
Reference

Collins, M., Bradley, C., O'Sullivan, T. & Perry, I. (2009). Self-care coping strategies in people

with diabetes: a qualitative exploratory study. BMC Endocrine Disorders 9:6 Retrieved from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6823/9/6
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Diabetes Self-Care This Research Study
Words: 3676 Length: 13 Document Type: Term Paper

Individuals are asked to work toward those goals and values they hold while experience their thoughts and positive feelings." (Gregg et al., 2007) ACT is stated to have "shown positive outcomes for a wide variety of conditions including for chronic medical conditions, even when presented in very brief form." (Gregg, et al., 2007) Gregg et al. additionally states: "Diabetes researchers have called for the development of interventions designed to

Diabetes, Dialysis and Pediatric Patients
Words: 1233 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Diabetes and Pediatric and Dialysis This study's aim was to assess the level of cognition required by nurses to prevent Diabetic Nephropathy (DN). It has been shown that Diabetic affliction leads to build up of DN. Diabetes Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 (T2D) complications lead to the micro vascular conditions that progress towards Diabetic Nephropathy; this can become life threatening. The growing incidence of both T1D and T2D especially among children

Diabetes and Self Management for Patients
Words: 2589 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

Introduction/Background The basis of self-management is rooted in patient-centered care. The idea behind it is that the patient will feel empowered to take ownership of his or her care process. Patient collaboration helps to get to the heart of patient-centered care, as Chiaramonte et al. (2018) note. Patient-centered care is about putting the patient’s needs first and foremost in care providing process. It means that the patient is likely to have

Self Management in Nursing
Words: 3086 Length: 11 Document Type: Essay

A Concept Analysis in Behavior Management: Self-Management in Psych Nursing Introduction In nursing, when it comes to behavior management—i.e., helping individuals to alter their behavior in order to achieve a positive aim—various strategies are available. One concept of behavior management that has been handed down over generations of nursing practice is the concept of self-management. This concept analysis paper will analyze self-management by describing a history of the concept, its defining characteristics

Shift in Research Methodology Preferences
Words: 3068 Length: 8 Document Type: Thesis

D.) Case studies are in essence external detailed investigations of an individual, group or an institution. (MODULE R14.QUALITATIVE RESEARCH) As a method it enables the researcher to uncover and explore variables and factors that each individual case study reveals -- and this in turn adds to the overall perception and understanding of the topic or issue under investigation. Case studies also differ from more statistical and quantifiable methods of inquiry in

Type 2 Diabetes Among Asian Americans
Words: 1290 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Quantitative Versus Qualitative Study Comparison: Type 2 Diabetes Among Asian Americans Research study types tend to fall into two distinct categories—that of qualitative and quantitative research. Quantitative research studies are data-driven and seek to answer a particular research question. Qualitative research studies are open-ended and inductive in their techniques; even when they may use statistical data, their focus is experiential. When assessing the impact of a lifestyle disease like type 2 diabetes,

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now