People with type 2 diabetes struggling for self‐management: A part study from the randomized controlled trial in RENEWING HEALTH

Aim To develop a theoretical explanation for the daily life problems and challenges perceived by those living with type 2 diabetes. Design and methods We used a grounded theory approach with a constant comparative method to discover a framework with the core concept of struggling between “ought to do” and “want to do” and related concepts. Results The struggle to self‐manage and maintain new habits can be more or less difficult depending on the patient's perceived conditions. We identified three situations illustrated in a diagram: one where there is less struggle to let go of old habits, a second where there is more of a struggle to balance between what individuals want to do and what they ought to do and a third where they are giving up struggling. Study findings show that healthcare personnel must consciously seek to understand how patients perceive their own situation.