Open AccessCouples with diabetes and health‐care providers: a grounded theory of preferential relating
Author(s) -
Falke Stephanie I.,
Lawson Lindsey
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.12302
Subject(s) - grounded theory , health care , nursing , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , diabetes mellitus , quality (philosophy) , type 2 diabetes , medicine , gerontology , qualitative research , sociology , social science , philosophy , epistemology , endocrinology , economics , economic growth
Background A collaborative health‐care relationship is considered critical in managing chronic illness like diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes can greatly diminish one's quality of life and lead to severe complications or even death. Rationale Understanding how to improve the relationship between patients and their providers supports improved diabetes health outcomes. Objective We conducted a grounded theory study to examine the types of relationships that diabetic patients and their spouses prefer to form with their health‐care providers. Results The analysis of in‐depth interviews with 18 diabetic couples reveals four major relationship preferences that differ by the nature of caregiving and decision‐making power demonstrated by the physician. Conclusion Using illustrative examples, we show how the type of health‐care relationship couples prefer is explained by their connection with one another and suggest implications for practitioners that expand current collaborative models of care.