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Cited by 66Diabetes Management and EducationPatient-Provider Communication in HealthcareDiabetes Management and Research

Patients in waiting: a qualitative study of Type 2 Diabetes patients' perceptions of diagnosis

Parry, O.·2004·Family Practice
DOI 10.1093/fampra/cmh203
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine how diagnosis is perceived by a sample of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in the Lothian region of Scotland using in-depth interviews of 40 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients recruited from 16 general practices in four Local Health Care Co-operatives and three hospital clinics. Purposive selection ensured that the sample's demographic characteristics were broadly representative of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients in Lothian/Scotland. RESULTS: Clarity, timing and authority of the diagnosis delivery were highly salient for patients. Many patients perceived their GP as unwilling to deliver/confirm the diagnosis. Patients who were not referred to hospital were unclear why a referral had not taken place. Those referred perceived confirmation of diagnosis by the consultant as a central reason. Waiting for a hospital appointment could be problematic for patients. Most wanted the diagnosis confirmed before they felt confident making lifestyle changes. Input from health services during the period prior to the hospital visit was highly valued. Waiting was taken by some asymptomatic patients to indicate that they did not have the condition. Others used a lengthy period of waiting to confirm their view that they had a 'milder' or 'less serious' form of diabetes than other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate input from practitioners is needed to ensure that diagnosis is fully exploited as a crucial period in which patients learn to adapt to their condition. Being explicit about the diagnosis at first contact may avoid the problem of patients feeling 'in limbo' or uncertain whether they have type 2 diabetes. Practitioners should convey to patients that post-diagnosis/initial care is a process, stages of this process should be clarified to avoid misunderstanding and services should be integrated during this interim period to best effect.

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Crossref · 10.1093/fampra/cmh203

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  • Most women wanted a confirmed diagnosis before they felt confident in making lifestyle changes.

    “Most wanted a confirmed diagnosis before they felt confident in making lifestyle changes (Odette et al., 2004).”

    From Guyanese Women's Experiences of Invisibility in Health Care in England (2020) · cites this paper as Odette et al., 2004

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Authors
Parry, O.
Affiliations
University of Wales (GB)
Corresponding author
Parry, O.
Venue
Family Practice
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2004-04-01
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pages
131-136
ISSN
  • 0263-2136 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2229
DOI
10.1093/fampra/cmh203
OpenAlex
W2172138063
Cited by
66
References
28
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
FWCI
2.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Family Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • Aston Publications Explorer (Aston University) (submittedVersion)
  • Worcester Research and Publications (University of Worcester) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Education
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Management and Research
Keywords
type 2 diabetes, newly diagnosed patients, role of general practitioners, hospital referral, waiting time, diagnostic confirmation, patient uncertainty, lifestyle modification, integrated care
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Physician-Patient Relations, Referral and Consultation, Scotland, Waiting Lists, Health Care Surveys, Qualitative Research

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