Barriers/Challenges | Recommendations |
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Patients require personal adjustments to accept the diagnosis and deal with treatment | • Develop programmes that include psychological interventions for patients with recently diagnosed T2DM. • Provide close support during the early stages of T2DM diagnosis. |
Patients with low numeracy or literacy skills can find it difficult accessing to healthcare services | • Include patients in the research and development of educational programmes or materials to test their comprehension and usability. • Facilitate materials considering numeracy and literacy differences. |
Patients value highly educational interventions that answer their information needs and have considered their training preferences and beliefs on health | • Incorporate a culturally sensitive approach in SMI development. • Reinforce strategies for positive patient-HCP relationships and understanding what matters most to patients. • Provide tailored messages according to patients’ characteristics and context. |
Engaging in SMIS is possible with shared decision-making | • Reinforce programs for effective communication. • Develop a culturally sensitive mindset in the healthcare organization. • Include patients in their care decisions to find a common agenda. • Avoid time pressures as much as possible Try different modalities for scheduling visits according to patients’ requirements, e.g., more frequent visits. |
Medication adherence is perceived as requiring self-regulation and deliberate effort. Fear is always present in treatment adherence. Fear of hypoglycaemia and weight change may hinder treatment adherence. | • Offer alternatives that allow patients to adapt treatment to their activities, preferring simplified regimens. • Offer a self-paced process of incorporation of treatment. • Support patients with difficulties, solve doubts about treatment effectiveness, and how to face eventual complications. |
Patients do not readily perceive the risk of long-term complications. | • Educate patients about the silent progress of diabetes when it is not controlled. |
Quality of life constraints and physical and psychological barriers can make it challenging to follow SM. In some cases, they perceive or experience diabetes stigma. | • Identify early patients at higher risk of not getting support to face diabetes psychological and emotional burden. • Facilitate or develop programs to help patients deal with the changes in adapting to diabetes. |
Most patients find it more feasible to adhere to a healthy diet when they have practical Knowledge regarding diet and cooking, develop self-discipline, become more proactive, and have social support. | • Provide practical tips for diet and cooking. • Inquire about their level of social support when dealing with adherence to a healthy diet. |
Patients find it easier to engage and continue with physical activity when they perceive having social support, having experienced benefits from exercise or having reasonable expectations, and gaining self-efficacy. | • Help to set reasonable goals with physical activity programs. • Inquire about their level of social support to start and continue with physical activity. |
Talking to peers and sharing experiences is an essential source of emotional support and facilitates SM integration in their daily life. | • Recommend participating in peer-support groups for patients with diabetes and related complications. |