Having their say: patients' perspectives and the clinical management of diabetes

Clin Ther. 2014 Apr 1;36(4):469-76. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2014.02.003.

Abstract

Using an illness narratives framework, we provide 1 method that health care providers can use to obtain insight into the perceptions and experiences of their patients living with diabetes. We propose that understanding patients' cultural perspectives help explains their health behavior and can lead to more productive partnering between provider, patient, and community health resources that support adherence and improved health outcomes. We conclude with resources available to assist health care providers in their efforts to deliver culturally appropriate diabetes care and examples of culturally tailored community-based public health initiatives that have been effective in improving diabetes outcomes among African-American patients.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American* / psychology
  • Communication
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Culturally Competent Care*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / ethnology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Disease Management
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Physician-Patient Relations