A qualitative study to explore the perception and behavior of patients towards diabetes management with physical disability

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine self-monitoring practices, awareness to dietary modifications and barriers to medication adherence among physically disabled type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: Interview sessions were conducted at diabetes clinic—Penang general hospital. The invited participants represented three major ethnic groups of Malaysia (Malay, Chinese and Indians). An open-ended approach was used to elicit answers from participants. Interview questions were related to participant’s perception towards self-monitoring blood glucose practices, Awareness towards diet management, behaviour to diabetes medication and cues of action. RESULTS: A total of twenty-one diabetes patients between the ages 35–67 years with physical disability (P1–P21) were interviewed. The cohort of participants was dominated by males (n = 12) and also distribution pattern showed majority of participants were Malay (n = 10), followed by Chinese (n = 7) and rest Indians (n = 4). When the participants were asked in their opinion what was the preferred method of recording blood glucose tests, several participants from low socioeconomic status and either divorced or widowed denied to adapt telemonitoring instead preferred to record manually. There were mixed responses about the barriers to control diet/calories. Even patients with high economic status, middle age 35–50 and diabetes history of 5–10 years were influenced towards alternative treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Study concluded that patients with physical disability required extensive care and effective strategies to control glucose metabolism. PRACTICE IMPLICATION: This study explores the patients’ perspectives regarding treatment management with physical disability.