Della Maneze1, Roslyn Weaver2, Vilas Kovai3, Yenna Salamonson4, Cecilia Astorga5, Daisy Yogendran6, Bronwyn Everett7. 1. Health Promotion Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Australia, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: della.maneze@health.nsw.gov.au. 2. Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Penrith, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: r.weaver@westernsydney.edu.au. 3. Health Promotion Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Australia, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Vilas.Kovai@health.nsw.gov.au. 4. Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: y.salamonson@westernsydney.edu.au. 5. Liverpool Diabetes Centre, South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Liverpool, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: cecilia.astorga@health.nsw.gov.au. 6. Macarthur Diabetes Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Campbelltown, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: daisy.yogendran@health.nsw.gov.au. 7. Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Penrith, NSW, Australia; Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: B.everett@westernsydney.edu.au.
Abstract
AIMS: To explore the information-seeking experiences of patients with Type 2 diabetes and how these influenced self-management behaviours. METHODS: We interviewed 18 patients with Type 2 Diabetes attending outpatient diabetes centers in South Western Sydney. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Patients described a number of challenges they faced when seeking information about diabetes self-management. One major challenge was receiving inconsistent and insufficient information from healthcare professionals, which consequently undermined patients' ability to self-manage diabetes. This became a disincentive in carrying out self-management tasks, and led to confusion and mistrust regarding the veracity of information received. Participants also described finding reliable information, and difficulty understanding and accessing relevant information as challenges. Medical jargon and lack of comprehensive explanations exacerbated knowledge deficits compounded by the complex maze of internet resources that some patients accessed. In response to what they perceived as confusing or inconsistent information, some patients followed "their own way" of managing their diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent information not tailored to the needs of patients adversely affects self-management. Taking time to provide simple explanations and assisting patients in navigating reliable web resources is becoming a vital role of healthcare professionals to reduce knowledge gaps in patients with low health literacy. Crown
AIMS: To explore the information-seeking experiences of patients with Type 2 diabetes and how these influenced self-management behaviours. METHODS: We interviewed 18 patients with Type 2 Diabetes attending outpatientdiabetes centers in South Western Sydney. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS:Patients described a number of challenges they faced when seeking information about diabetes self-management. One major challenge was receiving inconsistent and insufficient information from healthcare professionals, which consequently undermined patients' ability to self-manage diabetes. This became a disincentive in carrying out self-management tasks, and led to confusion and mistrust regarding the veracity of information received. Participants also described finding reliable information, and difficulty understanding and accessing relevant information as challenges. Medical jargon and lack of comprehensive explanations exacerbated knowledge deficits compounded by the complex maze of internet resources that some patients accessed. In response to what they perceived as confusing or inconsistent information, some patients followed "their own way" of managing their diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent information not tailored to the needs of patients adversely affects self-management. Taking time to provide simple explanations and assisting patients in navigating reliable web resources is becoming a vital role of healthcare professionals to reduce knowledge gaps in patients with low health literacy. Crown
Authors: Csaba Hegedűs; Mariana Muresan; Andrea Badale; Mariann Bombicz; Balázs Varga; Anna Szilágyi; Dávid Sinka; Ildikó Bácskay; Mihaela Popoviciu; Ioan Magyar; Mária Magdolna Szarvas; Erzsébet Szőllősi; József Németh; Zoltán Szilvássy; Annamaria Pallag; Rita Kiss Journal: Molecules Date: 2020-05-29 Impact factor: 4.411