Abstract
Introduction:
Chronically ill patients are known to be at high risk to develop mental distress and social dysfunction, (in)directly related to their illness. This can be observed in diabetes type 2 patients. Most studies focus on how psychosocial factors negatively affect patients’ abilities to self-care for their somatic status, how they hinder patients’ adherence to therapy, how diabetes distress can lead to serious adverse emotional outcomes, even the development of mental disorders. Hence, the main goal of self-management primarily appears to keep diabetes under control, while psychosocial wellbeing is regarded as subordinate to that main goal. In this study, we seek to enhance the approach of healthcare professionals in dealing with the psychosocial needs during diabetes treatment to improve the quality of life. Here, quality of life includes a comprehensive assessment of psychosocial well-being, which is integral to the overall health and life satisfaction of chronically ill people.
Methods:
Firstly, we will study the psychosocial wellbeing of diabetes patients as well as their perceptions about the approach by their healthcare professionals with regard to their psychosocial needs. This is done by means of a quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire among a large group of type 2 diabetes patients, in Flanders and Brussels.
Secondly, ethnographic research will be conducted, starting with document analysis and observations. This includes analyzing documents on psychosocial support during education, and observing consultations with healthcare professionals. To identify factors that respond to psychosocial support in living with diabetes, in-depth interviews are conducted with patients and their relatives. Finally, we examine the facilitating and impeding factors in how health care providers address psychosocial needs of diabetics, by conducting focus groups with healthcare providers within primary and secondary care.
The method is described in more detail in the poster.
Results and conclusion:
First results are expected in the fall of 2024.
Chronically ill patients are known to be at high risk to develop mental distress and social dysfunction, (in)directly related to their illness. This can be observed in diabetes type 2 patients. Most studies focus on how psychosocial factors negatively affect patients’ abilities to self-care for their somatic status, how they hinder patients’ adherence to therapy, how diabetes distress can lead to serious adverse emotional outcomes, even the development of mental disorders. Hence, the main goal of self-management primarily appears to keep diabetes under control, while psychosocial wellbeing is regarded as subordinate to that main goal. In this study, we seek to enhance the approach of healthcare professionals in dealing with the psychosocial needs during diabetes treatment to improve the quality of life. Here, quality of life includes a comprehensive assessment of psychosocial well-being, which is integral to the overall health and life satisfaction of chronically ill people.
Methods:
Firstly, we will study the psychosocial wellbeing of diabetes patients as well as their perceptions about the approach by their healthcare professionals with regard to their psychosocial needs. This is done by means of a quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire among a large group of type 2 diabetes patients, in Flanders and Brussels.
Secondly, ethnographic research will be conducted, starting with document analysis and observations. This includes analyzing documents on psychosocial support during education, and observing consultations with healthcare professionals. To identify factors that respond to psychosocial support in living with diabetes, in-depth interviews are conducted with patients and their relatives. Finally, we examine the facilitating and impeding factors in how health care providers address psychosocial needs of diabetics, by conducting focus groups with healthcare providers within primary and secondary care.
The method is described in more detail in the poster.
Results and conclusion:
First results are expected in the fall of 2024.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 29 Nov 2023 |
| Event | the Research Symposium, Diabetes Liga: Empowering individuals with diabetes - a journey beyond just medical treatment - Provinciehuis, Leuven, Belgium Duration: 29 Nov 2023 → 29 Nov 2023 Conference number: / https://www.diabetes.be/nl/activiteiten/onderzoekssymposium |
Conference
| Conference | the Research Symposium, Diabetes Liga |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | / |
| Country/Territory | Belgium |
| City | Leuven |
| Period | 29/11/23 → 29/11/23 |
| Internet address |
Bibliographical note
/Keywords
- diabetes 2
- Well-being
- psychosocial aspects
- quality of life