Conversation with Diabetic Mellitus II Patients: A Grounded Theory Research

Abstract

The main purpose of this grounded theory research was to explore Diabetic Patients’ (DPs) experiences related to their chronic illness in the light of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Diabetic mellitus II is a grave public health concern, and its management is the cornerstone to avoid life-threatening complications. In contemporary research, the role of the patient in the decision-making process is essential because the holistic care domain warrants including patients’ voices. This research marks the first step in this direction. The sampling strategy used for this study was convenience and snowballing. HBM was used to explore and interpret the DP voices. One-to-one interviews with 11 DPs were the source of data collection. The data were analyzed using the constant comparative analysis method, which is recommended for grounded theory research. The results showed that the main problem of patients is their inability to follow the diet plan accurately owing to financial concerns, social limitation, and a desire to eat more. However, all participants were familiar with the signs and symptoms of the disease. One major observation was the accidental diagnosis of the disease, indicating that proper screening is very necessary to reduce its incidence rate. Nursing must educate patients about the necessity of strictly adhering to a diet plan and taking medications on time. Patients’ fears and anxiety related to the disease and its complications must be reduced to improve the quality of life.

Keywords

• Diabetic mellitus-II
• grounded theory
• health belief model
• management of diabetics
• nursing
• perceptions