Experience of knowledge and skills that are essential in self-managing a chronic condition - a
focus group study among people with type 2 diabetes
Sammanfattning
Aims: The purpose of the study was to gain new knowledge about how people experience
participating in diabetes self-management courses with other people with type 2 diabetes and how
they perceive this influences their health and ability to self-manage the disease.
Methods: We conducted five focus groups with 22 people with type 2 diabetes who had participated
in a group-based diabetes self-management course. We systematically coded the data and analysed
them using Knodel's method.
Findings: Participants gained more nuanced and specific knowledge by participating in a group
setting. They increased their theoretical and practical understanding of how to handle diabetes in
everyday life. The diabetes self-management course made the participants more aware of having a
disease they had to take more seriously. Learning by being in the situation while guided by
professionals was useful. In addition, the participation learned from each other by carrying out real
tasks in a context with others struggling with similar treatment demands. They wished more room to
perform practical tasks and more independent activity. Further, they suggested to make parts of the
course accessible online. Still, it was noted that web-based solutions cannot replace the practical
parts or the dialogue between the participants. They expressed both a need and a wish for a
refresher course.
Conclusion: This study underscored that the participants learned through concrete experience, and
by trying out practical tasks by becoming part of the diabetes community. They felt safer regarding
their own treatment by experiencing a variety of situations in real-life scenarios. Published by
arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.