Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases in India. The acute and chronic complications of diabetes impact the physical, mental, and social well-being of the patients, thereby, placing a major burden on the health care system. Studies have shown that adequate self-care practices among the patients will facilitate good glycemic control and prevent complications. Objectives: To study the patterns of self-care practice among diabetic patients and the factors associated with them. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 diabetics in the rural field practice area of a Tertiary Medical College and Hospital in Chennai. The participants were interviewed on their diabetic status and various components of self-care practices adopted from The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities (SDSCA) Measure. Adherence to medication was assessed by using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 (MMAS-4). Results: Our study observed that the overall prevalence of good self-care practices was very low (5.6%). Moderate self-care practices were prevalent in 42% of the study participants whereas the majority (52.4%) of the study population had poor self-care practices. In our study, the association between self-care activity with educational status and occupation was found to be statistically significant. Adherence was high for blood sugar testing (75.2%) and medication (70.4%) in the study population whereas adherence for foot care was poor (17.6%). Conclusion: Our study emphasized on the need for knowledge and awareness to be provided in rural areas regarding diabetes care management and self-care practices. Structured programs need to be planned to improve the attitude and practices of diabetic patients to promote better compliance towards diet, exercise, adherence to drugs, and appropriate foot care.

Common themes in prevailing mentoring practices help identify key elements for the design of an effective mentoring program in medical social work. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings upon clinical practice in palliative care and on sustaining such a program.

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Background: Social isolation is identified as a state in which individuals lack a sense of belonging, true engagement with immediate family, friends, peers in the form of fulfilling relationships. The subjective form ‘perceived social isolation’(PSI) arises from a feeling of lack of engagement with above is linked to adverse physical and mental conditions. Aim & Objectives: To assess the factors associated with social medial use and levels of perceived social isolation among study subjects. Materials & Methods:  PSI was assessed by using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) which was adapted in this study and the scores and grades from PROMIS-4 were classified as: low PSI: 4-6, medium PSI: 7-10, high PSI: 11 and above. Results: PSI was significantly higher among the subjects using social media for than two hours per day. In our study the association between gender, time spent on social media on daily basis, year of studying and PSI scores was found to be statistically significant. (P-value>0.05). Conclusion: People with high social media usage were found to perceive being socially isolated than their counterparts with lower use.