Influences of social issues on type 1 diabetes self‐management: are we doing enough?

Abstract

AbstractMuch of the literature on the causes and management of diabetes focuses on biomedical and lifestyle factors, with little attention given to the role of social issues in diabetes management. This study aimed to explore the influence of social issues on type 1 diabetes management from the perspectives of people with diabetes and of health care professionals (HCPs), and to identify strategies to enhance the clinic services.Semi‐structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with eight people with type 1 diabetes and with 15 HCPs. Recruitment was through the patients’ HCPs for this service evaluation project.Findings highlighted the importance of considering the influence of social issues on diabetes management. The dominant themes that emerged from the thematic analysis were: housing situations, divorce, stress, literacy issues, social stigma and financial issues. HCPs suggested ways to improve services by: putting informational boards (e.g. related to benefit services) in the waiting area; providing a peer support platform (to discuss and gain support related to social issues); having a service directory (to refer people to the social services); working at multi‐settings (to understand the effect of social issues); and having open clinics at weekends (to support those who are unable to get time off during the week). People with diabetes suggested that bringing in a welfare officer and providing information about benefits could improve the clinic services.In conclusion, including a systematic assessment of social parameters in health care records might improve the ability of clinicians and the health system to tackle social issues early. This is likely to improve self‐management and biophysical outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons.