Expectations held by type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus patients and their relatives: the importance of facilitating the health-care process

Abstract

Aim To understand the expectations held by type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM 1 & 2) patients and their relatives regarding the health-care provided to them.

Design Qualitative. Focus groups.

Setting and participants Andalusia. A theoretical sample that includes the most characteristic profiles. Thirty-one subjects with DM. Segmentation characteristics: receiving health-care for DM in Primary or Specialized care, living in urban and rural areas, men and women, age, varying diagnosis times, DM course and consequences. Subjects were recruited by health-care professionals at reference care centres.

Results Patients expect their health-care professionals to be understanding, to treat them with kindness and respect, to have good communication skills, to provide information in a non-authoritarian manner while fully acknowledging patients' know-how. Regarding the health-care system, their expectations focus on the system's ability to respond when required to do so, through a relevant professional, along with readily available equipment for treatment.

The expectations of people affected by DM1 focus on leading a normal life and not having their educational, labour, social and family opportunities limited by the disease. Expectations in people with DM2 tend towards avoiding what they know has happened to other patients.

Conclusions 'Facilitating', is a key word. Both the health-care system and its professionals must pay keener attention to the emotional aspects of the disease and its process, adopting a comprehensive approach to care. It is vital that health-care professionals take an active interest in the course of their patient's disease, promoting accessibility and an atmosphere of trust and flexibility.