Here are some key findings and practical recommendations for practitioners:
1. Identity and Disclosure
Women are more likely to disclose their diabetes diagnosis to family and friends, which can facilitate better social support and adherence to self-care practices. In contrast, men often keep their diagnosis private, which may hinder their ability to manage the disease effectively in social settings.
- Recommendation: Encourage male patients to discuss their condition with trusted individuals to build a supportive network.
2. Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG)
Men focus on the technical aspects of SMBG, experimenting with diet, exercise, and medication to optimize glucose levels. Women, however, often experience anxiety related to the affective components of SMBG, such as needle pricks and regular testing.
- Recommendation: Provide gender-specific education that addresses men's technical interests and women's emotional concerns.
3. Diet Struggles
Women tend to view certain foods as forbidden and struggle with dietary restrictions, often using emotionally charged language like "cheating" on their diet. Men focus more on moderation and substitutions.
- Recommendation: Offer nutritional counseling that emphasizes moderation and the inclusion of favorite foods to reduce the psychological burden of dietary restrictions, particularly for women.
4. Utilization of Diabetes Resources
Men prefer self-directed resources such as books and the internet, while women benefit more from socially interactive resources like support groups and educational classes.
- Recommendation: Tailor resource recommendations based on the patient's preference for self-directed or socially interactive learning.
5. Social Support
Men often rely on their spouses for support, while women utilize a broader network that includes family and friends. Women also report receiving more reminders and scrutiny regarding their diet from their social circles.
- Recommendation: Encourage patients to engage their broader social network in their diabetes management plan, and educate family members on how to provide positive support.
Implementing these gender-sensitive strategies can improve self-management outcomes and enhance the overall quality of care for patients with T2DM.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Self-management experiences among men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis.
