A better model of diabetes self-management? Interactions between GP communication and patient self-efficacy in self-monitoring of blood glucose

Vanessa Rose, Mark F. Harris, Maria T. Ho, Upali W. Jayasinghe

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the interaction between patient self-efficacy and GP communication in explaining diabetes self-management in a disadvantaged region of Sydney, Australia. This study was undertaken in South West Sydney with the Fairfield Division of General Practice. We used a cross-sectional survey design to assess patientsââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ self-reported beliefs and behaviours about diabetes self-management. We used hierarchical multiple linear regression to test for interaction effects in diabetes self-management, following tests for clustering using multilevel modeling. Of those eligible for survey, 105 patients completed the telephone survey (72%). There was a significant interaction between diabetes self-efficacy and GP communication in blood glucose testing; high-ratings of GP communication enhanced self-monitoring of blood glucose when patient self-efficacy was high but impeded self-monitoring of blood glucose when self-efficacy was low. There were no significant interaction effects for the general diet or exercise scales. This exploratory study suggests a complex relationship between patient self-efficacy and GP communication in self-monitoring of blood glucose. It is likely optimal diabetes self-management behaviours are produced by a fit between high patient self-efficacy and high quality GP communication. There is a risk that GPs who are sensitive to their patientsââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ low self-efficacy in self-monitoring of blood glucose may step in and take over the monitoring role and inadvertently reduce self-management.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)260-265
    Number of pages6
    JournalPatient Education and Counseling
    Volume77
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Keywords

    • blood sugar
    • diabetes
    • diabetics
    • interpersonal communication
    • physician and patient
    • physicians (general practice)
    • self-care, health
    • self-efficacy

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