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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 260-265 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Patient Education and Counseling |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- blood sugar
- diabetes
- diabetics
- interpersonal communication
- physician and patient
- physicians (general practice)
- self-care, health
- self-efficacy