Diabetes care provided by national standards can improve patients' self‐management skills: A qualitative study of how people with type 2 diabetes perceive primary diabetes care

Background The increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] has resulted in extensive research into the characteristics of successful primary diabetes care. Even if self‐management support and continuity are increasingly recognized as important, there is still a need for deeper understanding of how patients' experiences of continuity of care coincide with their needs for self‐management and/or self‐management support. Objective To gain a deeper understanding of how people with T2DM perceive Swedish primary diabetes care and self‐management support. Methods This qualitative study used focus groups as the means for data collection. Participants were identified through a purposive sampling method differing in age, sex, diabetes duration and latest registered glycated haemoglobin level. Twenty‐eight participants formed five focus groups. Qualitative content analysis was applied to interview transcripts. Results The main theme emerging from the focus group data was that diabetes care provided by national standards improved self‐management skills. Two themes that emerged from the analysis were (a) the importance of a clarification of structures and procedures in primary diabetes care and (b) health‐care staff ‘being there’ and providing support enables trust and co‐operation to enhance self‐management. Conclusions Individual patients' self‐management resources are strengthened if the importance of providing relational continuity, management continuity and informational continuity is considered. Patients also need assistance on ‘how’ self‐management activities should be performed. Patient contribution Prior to the study, one pilot focus group was conducted with patients to obtain their perspectives on the content of the planned focus groups; thus, patients were involved in both planning and conduct of the study.