A qualitative study evaluating solution focus brief therapy in improving delivery of diabetes care by healthcare professionals

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a demanding condition that impacts the person living with the condition physically and psychologically. Promoting emotional support is a key strategy to improve diabetes care.AimTo explore the views and experiences of people with T2DM and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on emotional support in diabetes care, and identify barriers and facilitators to the provision of emotional support in clinical practice.Design & settingA qualitative study in England with data collected from four focus groups.MethodFocus group discussions were conducted with people with T2DM (n = 10) and HCPs (n = 10). The analysis was informed by the framework method and principles of the constant comparative approach.ResultsEmotional support was lacking in diabetes primary care, and there was a need to normalise the emotional impact of T2DM. Barriers to emotional support included: lack of HCP confidence to discuss emotional issues; lack of counselling training; and time constraints in consultations. Inappropriate use of the word ‘depression’ creates a sense of taboo for those experiencing emotions other than depression.ConclusionConsensus between the two target groups indicated a strong need to integrate emotional support in diabetes care, and the need to support and train HCPs in addressing psychosocial aspects of T2DM. Shared language is recommended across diabetes services to appropriately refer to wellbeing. Addressing barriers and considering ways to incorporate emotional management in diabetes consultations is recommended, includings introducing HCP training to increase confidence and enhance counselling skills.

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How Can We Achieve Person-centred Care for People Living with HIVAIDS? A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals and Patients in Ghana

10.26226/morressier.5c76c8bde2ea5a7237612824 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Mary Abboah-Offei

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Professionals

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Patients’ and healthcare professionals’ beliefs, perceptions and needs towards chronic kidney disease self-management in China: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e044059

Author(s):

Hongxia Shen ◽

Rianne M J J van der Kleij ◽

Paul J M van der Boog ◽

Wenjiao Wang ◽

Xiaoyue Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Illness Perceptions ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Self Management ◽

Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽

Chinese Context ◽

Management Interventions

ObjectivesTo support the adaptation and translation of an evidence-based chronic kidney disease (CKD) self-management intervention to the Chinese context, we examined the beliefs, perceptions and needs of Chinese patients with CKD and healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards CKD self-management.DesignA basic interpretive, cross-sectional qualitative study comprising semistructured interviews and observations.SettingOne major tertiary referral hospital in Henan province, China.Participants11 adults with a diagnosis of CKD with CKD stages G1–G5 and 10 HCPs who worked in the Department of Nephrology.ResultsFour themes emerged: (1) CKD illness perceptions, (2) understanding of and motivation towards CKD self-management, (3) current CKD practice and (4) barriers, (anticipated) facilitators and needs towards CKD self-management. Most patients and HCPs solely mentioned medical management of CKD, and self-management was largely unknown or misinterpreted as adherence to medical treatment. Also, the majority of patients only mentioned performing disease-specific acts of control and not, for instance, behaviour for coping with emotional problems. A paternalistic patient–HCP relationship was often present. Finally, the barriers, facilitators and needs towards CKD self-management were frequently related to knowledge and environmental context and resources.ConclusionsThe limited understanding of CKD self-management, as observed, underlines the need for educational efforts on the use and benefits of self-management before intervention implementation. Also, specific characteristics and needs within the Chinese context need to guide the development or tailoring of CKD self-management interventions. Emphasis should be placed on role management and emotional coping skills, while self-management components should be tailored by addressing the existing paternalistic patient–HCP relationship. The use of electronic health innovations can be an essential facilitator for implementation.

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Understanding health-seeking and adherence to treatment by patients with esophageal cancer at the Uganda cancer Institute: a qualitative study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06163-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nakimuli Esther ◽

Ssentongo Julius ◽

Mwaka Amos Deogratius

Keyword(s):

Esophageal Cancer ◽

Data Collection ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Transport Cost ◽

Adherence To Treatment ◽

Health Seeking ◽

Long Distance ◽

Cancer Symptoms

Abstract Background In the low- and middle-income countries, most patients with esophageal cancer present with advanced stage disease and experience poor survival. There is inadequate understanding of the factors that influence decisions to and actual health-seeking, and adherence to treatment regimens among esophageal cancer patients in Uganda, yet this knowledge is critical in informing interventions to promote prompt health-seeking, diagnosis at early stage and access to appropriate cancer therapy to improve survival. We explored health-seeking experiences and adherence to treatment among esophageal cancer patients attending the Uganda Cancer Institute. Methods We conducted an interview based qualitative study at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). Participants included patients with established histology diagnosis of esophageal cancer and healthcare professionals involved in the care of these patients. We used purposive sampling approach to select study participants. In-depth and key informant interviews were used in data collection. Data collection was conducted till point of data saturation was reached. Thematic content analysis approach was used in data analyses and interpretations. Themes and subthemes were identified deductively. Results Sixteen patients and 17 healthcare professionals were included in the study. Delayed health-seeking and poor adherence to treatment were related to (i) emotional and psychosocial factors including stress of cancer diagnosis, stigma related to esophageal cancer symptoms, and fear of loss of jobs and livelihood, (ii) limited knowledge and recognition of esophageal cancer symptoms by both patients and primary healthcare professionals, and (iii) limited access to specialized cancer care, mainly because of long distance to the facility and associated high transport cost. Patients were generally enthused with patient – provider relationships at the UCI. While inadequate communication and some degree of incivility were reported, majority of patients thought the healthcare professionals were empathetic and supportive. Conclusion Health system and individual patient factors influence health-seeking for symptoms of esophageal cancer and adherence to treatment schedule for the disease. Interventions to improve access to and acceptability of esophageal cancer services, as well as increase public awareness of esophageal cancer risk factors and symptoms could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially better survival from the disease in Uganda.

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Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives on the Cross-Sectoral Treatment Pathway for Women with Gestational Diabetes during and after Pregnancy—A Qualitative Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10040843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 843

Author(s):

Anne Timm ◽

Karoline Kragelund Nielsen ◽

Ulla Christensen ◽

Helle Terkildsen Maindal

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Gestational Diabetes ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Care Pathway ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Treatment Pathway ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

The Cross

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of adverse outcomes during and after pregnancy, including a long-term risk of type 2 diabetes. Women with GDM are treated by numerous healthcare professionals during pregnancy and describe a lack of preventive care after pregnancy. We aim to investigate healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the cross-sectoral treatment pathway for women with GDM—during and after pregnancy. A qualitative study was conducted using systematic text condensation. Nine healthcare professionals (two general practitioners, four midwives, two obstetricians and one diabetes nurse) were interviewed and eight health visitors participated in two focus group discussions., Three major themes emerged: (1) “professional identities”, which were identified across healthcare professionals and shaped care practices; (2) ”unclear guidelines on type 2 diabetes prevention after GDM”, which contributed to uncertainty about tasks and responsibilities during and after pregnancy; and (3) “cross-sectoral collaboration”, which relied heavily on knowledge transfers between hospitals, general practice and the local municipality. The findings implicate that clear, transparent guidelines for all sectors should be prioritized to strengthen cross-sectoral care to women with GDM during and after pregnancy. As a result, strong cross-sectoral care throughout the GDM care pathway may improve maternal health by supporting healthy behaviors, facilitate weight loss and reduce the risk of subsequent GDM and early onset diabetes.

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