Information seeking and use amongst people living with type 2 diabetes: an information continuum

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the motives that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have in seeking information about their condition, and how information is used in self-care. Semi-structured interviews (N ¼ 25), focus groups (3 £ N ¼ 12 participants) and open-ended questionnaires (N ¼ 6) were used to collect qualitative data. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis. In total, 37 participants took part, all recruited from a community-based diabetes participation group. The majority of respondents were older people (aged 60 þ ) living in a socioeconomically deprived area. Information seeking is usually preceded by different types of uncertainty. Patients' motives for information-seeking varied, and included (1) only when necessary, (2) for reference, (3) to gain an understanding of 'changes to their body,' (4) to gain understanding of biomedical information and research and (5) to establish entitlement to health services and service quality. These motives influenced the information sought, and how the information was applied in diabetes self-care efforts. The types of information sought also corresponded to patients' socioeconomic status, educational level and distance from diagnosis. The findings suggest that information-seeking behaviour is differentiated -a priori -by the type of information sought. This process is informed by experiential knowledge and access to social resources. The data also suggest that socio-contextual issues are a strong influence on how information is sought and applied by those self-managing T2D, and that this needs to be taken into account in the provision of information to patients.

Factors motivating, demotivating, or impeding information seeking and use by people with type 2 diabetes: A call to work toward preventing, identifying, and addressing incognizance

“…People's motivations to look for and use health‐related information have been found to include receiving a diagnosis (Clark, ; Morgan & Trauth, ), as well as wanting to reduce negative effects, such as uncertainty, anxiety, and dread (Clark, ; Newton, Asimakopoulou, & Scambler, ); increase one's feeling of self‐efficacy (Clark, ); and regain a sense of control (Wong et al, ). With regard to information use , Newton, Asimakopoulou, and Scambler () found that people with type 2 diabetes are motivated to engage in self‐management activities out of a concern about the potential future negative physical effects of type 2 diabetes (particularly if they had observed such consequences happen to someone they knew), as well as a desire to stay well, maintain one's independence, reduce the need to consult healthcare professionals, and improve one's quality of life.…”

The context of empowerment and self-care within the field of diabetes

“…However, there is no research in the United Kingdom to date to show that diabetes HCPs believe that patients’ knowledge is in any way ‘equivalent’ to theirs; that they believe that a consultation affirming empowerment ideals is the way forward for good diabetes control; or that they have the skills, aptitude and resources to move into empowering consultations. Professionals’ understandings of and attitudes towards empowerment in practice have been explored (Asimakopoulou et al, 2012; Newton et al, 2012; Scambler et al, 2012). This work suggests that there is little clarity or shared understanding about what empowerment is and what it involves and that there is disagreement about the degree of freedom that patients should have in making choices.…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Motivation to Self-Manage and Styles of Self-Management amongst People Living with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Further, work conducted by us and others [ 10 , 27 – 29 ], respectively, shows that criteria for successful self-management differ amongst patients. Thus, we have a complex picture where there is great variability not only in the motives behind self-management, but also in how these motives shape criteria for assessing successful management and, hence, self-management styles.…”