WH Polonsky et al. Are Patients' Initial Experiences at the Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Associated With Attitudes and Self-management Over Time? Diabetes Education, August 20, 2010.

The purpose of a study by Polonsky and associates was to investigate patients' experiences when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and diabetes-related distress and self-management years later. One hundred seventy-nine adults with type 2 diabetes, 1 to 5 years after diagnosis, completed a questionnaire assessing what they were told and what was recommended at diagnosis as well as current diet, physical activity, and diabetes distress. Most patients (60%) expressed confidence in their health care provider (HCP) at diagnosis, but 30% reported that a clear action plan was not communicated. Current diabetes distress was significantly lower among those who reported being reassured at diagnosis that diabetes could be managed successfully and had developed a clearer action plan with their HCP. Patients' current dietary behaviors were significantly better among those receiving a clearer action plan at diagnosis.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that the patients' retrospective reports of reassuring HCP messages when diagnosed, along with the presentation of a clear action plan, are associated with less diabetes distress and better self-management at 1 to 5 years after diagnosis.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE CONSUMER: Regardless of the chronic disease you may have, it is imperative that the health care provider explain self-management and develop, along with you, an action plan to help you control your condition. Your performance of the self-management skills you are taught will permit you to develop self-efficacy that you are the major contributor to better health.