Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe type 1 diabetes patients' perceptions and experiences of their duties in care.The purpose of the study was to produce new knowledge in nursing science, of a very little known and researched phenomenon, and to strengthen patient-centred care in nursing practice.The research questions were: what are type 1 diabetes patients' perceptions and experiences of their duties, of the implications of duties and of the issues affecting the fulfilment of duties.The study had a qualitative approach.Data was collected by interviewing type 1 diabetes patients (n=20) of one diabetes policlinic belonging to one specialized-care hospital in Finland, using theme-interview method.The individual interviews took place in July-August 2013, during policlinics normal opening hours.Deductive-inductive analysis method was used for analysing obtained data.The research questions represented the basis for inductive analysis.Patient duties were categorized deductively using as classification frame the categories brought by the literature search: patient duties towards themselves, towards society and towards healthcare professionals.This created one main category.The significance and implications of patient duties built two other main categories.Type 1 diabetes patients perceive that they are responsible for their life, well-being, health and self-care.According to the results of this study, type 1 diabetes patients experience that they have many types of duties (as patient and as society member) towards themselves, towards own family, towards society and towards healthcare professionals.These duties are described to have implications upon patient's care, self-care and life quality, and upon healthcare system and healthcare professionals' workload.The new types of duties which arose, are connected with the characteristics of diabetes care.The types of duties which were not mentioned at all refer to the duty to ensure of being a recognized member of healthcare provision services, the duty of respecting other patients and avoid spreading infection, and the duty of citizenship.A new subcategory was found, which includes patient's duties towards own family.Adherence and fulfilling of patient duties are perceived to be under the influence of multiple factors.The care relationship with healthcare staff, patient education, patient's own motivation and patient's resources are the central factors perceived to promote or prevent fulfilling the duties.The availability of healthcare services, support network and work community are also seen as important motivational factors for adherence to duties.The subject of patient duties is unfamiliar and some of the participants did not heard before of patient duties.The knowledge obtained in this study can be utilized in the development of individual and patientcentered care planning, and in supporting patient self-care, self-determination and patient participation tin care.Patient duties are a very little researched area, so there is a need for future studies in order to confirm the findings of this study.Further research is needed also to clarify patient duties within different groups of patients, to establish the manifestations and features of the concept in different environments and to reveal the exploitation possibilities of this knowledge.
Author: Marina Hirjaba
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Itä-Suomen Yliopisto
OpenAlex ID: W3095753311