Reasons for participation in group-based type 2 diabetes self-management education. A qualitative study

Aims: To investigate reasons for participating in group-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) for patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A qualitative study using focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews was conducted with 22 patients attending seven different groups in Central Norway. Results: Patients with diabetes described two main reasons for attending DSME; experiencing practical problems and feeling insecure. These reasons differed by affecting the patients in two ways — practically or emotionally. Practical problems and feeling insecure both originated from lack of or contradictory information and from lack of contact with other patients with diabetes. This affected the patients’ everyday lives in important areas such as diet, medication, social settings and lifestyle changes. Conclusions: The underlying reason for participating in a DSME was the participants’ experience of having insufficient information about their diabetes, which led to practical problems and emotional insecurity. Being aware of the patients’ reasons for participating can help professionals keep a focus which is more consistent with patients’ needs.