Discussion questions

Posted by Winnie Melda on December 4th, 2018

How do individual differences affect diabetes management?

The successful management of diabetes requires individuals to frequently monitor their blood levels and take necessary action to keep blood sugar within a physiological level. There are different individual factors that influence the success of diabetes management among patients.  These factors affect how individuals follow the recommendation for lifestyle changes of diet and exercise and their prescriptions medication regimen.  The important determinants of diabetes management are transient situational factors. Interventions to improve diabetes management may focus on these individual factors to ensure better glucose control is achieved.  Individual differences such as literacy levels influence set of skilled behaviors necessary manage one’s own illness. Self-management is, without a doubt, the key component in the struggle for the normal lifestyle with least complications. The willingness to accept responsibility, the ability to learn and other individual factors can be a major determinant of long-term prognosis in diabetes.  These individual factors emphasize the role and responsibility of the patient in managing the disease (Nam et al., 2011).

Beliefs, attitudes, and values are also individual factors that affect diabetes management. Different members of different ethnic and racial groups possess beliefs, attitudes, and values related to health. Understanding the influence of beliefs, attitudes, and values on health care practices can improve diabetes management.   For example, eating patterns are influenced by both cultural and individual factors. Individual contexts affect the responsiveness of a patient to the availability of preferred foods.  Individuals may attempt to eat healthfully to reduce cholesterol and sugar levels. However, the responsiveness to the available food as well as eating patterns may not be according to appropriate treatment guidelines for diabetes management.   Individual knowledge about diabetes is important in managing one’s diabetes. Knowledge about the condition is imperative as it is associated with activities such as blood glucose monitoring, taking medication, exercise, diet, and foot care (Nam et al., 2011).

Reference

Nam, S., Chesla, C., Stotts, N. A., Kroon, L., & Janson, S. L. (2011). Barriers to diabetes management: patient and provider factors. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 93(1), 1-9.

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