Rose and colleagues conducted an exploratory study to investigate the interaction between patient self-efficacy and GP communication in explaining diabetes self-management in a disadvantaged region of Sydney, Australia. The study was undertaken in South West Sydney with the Fairfield Division of General Practice. A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess patients' self-reported beliefs and behaviors about diabetes self-management. The investigators employed hierarchical multiple linear regression to test for interaction effects in diabetes self-management, following tests for clustering using multilevel modeling. Of those eligible for the 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.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The exploratory study suggested a complex relationship between patient self-efficacy and GP communication in self-monitoring of blood glucose. It is likely optimal diabetes self-management behaviors are produced by a fit between high patient self-efficacy and high quality GP communication.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: The study provides more evidence that if you have diabetes, you should enroll in a self-management program. This will not only provide you will skills you can use to control your diabetes, but likely improve the communication you have with your health care provider.

V Rose et al. A better model of diabetes self-management? Interactions between GP communication and patient self-efficacy in self-monitoring of blood glucose. Patient Education & Counseling, August 29, 2009.