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Exploring the meaning of hypoglycaemia to community‐dwelling Singaporean Chinese adults living with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Author(s) -
Tan Pamela ShuXian,
Chen HuiChen,
Taylor Beverley Joan,
Hegney Desley Gail
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-172x.2012.02031.x
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , qualitative research , medicine , meaning (existential) , type 2 diabetes mellitus , nursing , gerontology , interpersonal communication , diabetes mellitus , quality of life (healthcare) , family medicine , psychology , social psychology , social science , sociology , psychotherapist , endocrinology
Tan PS‐X, Chen H‐C, Taylor BJ, Hegney DG. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2012; 18 : 252–259 Exploring the meaning of hypoglycaemia to community‐dwelling Singaporean Chinese adults living with type 2 diabetes mellitus This study aimed to explore how community‐dwelling Singaporean Chinese adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus experience hypoglycaemia. A qualitative interpretive research design was employed. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with six participants from a Singaporean diabetes specialist outpatient clinic, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative manual thematic analysis. Eight major themes emerged: experiencing symptoms, knowing hypoglycaemia is manageable, using acute measures, using preventative strategies; applying knowledge, identifying causes of hypoglycaemia, forming relationships and working with health‐care professionals. Participants underestimated the impact of hypoglycaemia mainly due to their experiencing mild and infrequent episodes, and knowledge deficits. Health‐care professionals' roles were limited to information providers, and they were perceived as detached and impersonal. Theimplications are that health‐care professionals need to provide more client‐focused education, and improve the quality of their interpersonal relationships to ensure shared decision‐making with their clients.