Tímarit hjúkrunarfræðinga - 2024, Page 86

„Diabetes type 2 is a serious disease that needs to be cared for daily:“ The experience of individuals ≥ 65 years of health care in diabetes clinics
ENGLISH SUMMARY
„Diabetes type 2 is a serious disease that needs to be
cared for daily:“
The experience of individuals ≥ 65 years of health care
in diabetes clinics
Gudmundsdottir, I.Ó., Sigurðardottir, A.K.
ABSRTAKT
Aim
In order to promote and improve care in diabetes clinics for individuals
≥ 65 years with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), it is important to understand
and know their experiences and expectations to the service.
The purpose of the study was to retrieve experiences and
expectations of individuals ≥ 65 years of care in diabetes clinic within
the community health care
Method
A qualitative research, where data collection was through focus
group interviews, and qualitative inductive content analysis was
applied in data analysing. Inclusion criteria was to be ≥ 65 years,
with a diagnosis T2DM. The participants were 14 individuals between
66 and 82 years, eight women and six men, divided into four focus
groups. The interview guide for the focus groups was constructed
from a literature review according to the study's aim.
Results
The main theme "Increased awareness that diabetes type 2 is a
serious disease that needs to be cared for daily" was an underlying
attitude to the disease. Experiences affecting the feelings of safety
and well-being was the common thread in the research results.
Regular recall to the diabetes clinic and maintenance and monitoring
were very important to the participants. Lack of professionals and
frequent staff changes reduced the sense of security. Participants
were aware of their own responsibility for their own health, but felt
that little emphasis was placed on mental well-being and health
in the diabetes clinic. They experienced lack of education about
complications of diabetes, as hypoglycaemia and side effects of
medications. In general, the participants were satisfied with the
diabetes clinic.
Conclusions
Safety and well-being is an important factor for people ≥ 65 years
with type 2 diabetes who consider the disease serious. Meeting a
professional regularly matters. Nurses are in a key position to be
team leaders in diabetes clinics because of their holistic approach
and professional knowledge. The results can help nurses and other
professions to promote and strengthen diabetes clinics in community
care.
Keywords
Older people, type 2 diabetes, community care, sense of security,
focus groups, inductive content analysis.
Correspondent
ingibosk@gmail.com