Differences in adaptation to diabetes between insulin dependent and non-insulin-dependent patients: Implications for patient education

✍ Scribed by Jean L. Jenny

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 838 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0738-3991
• DOI: 10.1016/0738-3991(86)90025-x

✦ Synopsis

Differences

in the expression of disease in individuals affect patients' adaptive behaviors and vary their needs for self-care assistance. This survey compared self-report responses of two groups of ambulatory diabetic clinic patients (N = 246) on 12 parameters of adaptation suggested by the literature. Responses show the insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) group to be younger, to have longer disease duration, poorer diabetic control, more diabetic instruction, and to be more compliant with their regime. IDD subjects perceived greater benefits of all aspects of self-care except for diet and exercise which were more valued by non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD) subjects. IDD subjects also showed increased concerns and more social support.

Detailed comparisons revealed different physical and functional problems in the groups, and differing perceptions of barriers to optimum self-care. For both groups, diet and exercise present the most problems. Findings suggest some recommendations for patient educators and the need for further exploration of disease severity as a factor affecting patients' learning needs.