Abstract
Background
Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased COVID-19 severity. Little is understood about the needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim
To examine the lived experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
This qualitative study recruited people with type 2 diabetes from the SOUth-London Diabetes (SOUL-D) cohort. Semi-structured interviews via telephone were conducted between September 2020 and January 2021. Deductive thematic analysis derived themes from the data to explore needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes.
Results
Twenty-nine people with type 2 diabetes were interviewed. Three themes with subthemes were outlined: (1) information needs of people with type 2 diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic, (2) concerns about Covid-19 from people with type 2 diabetes and (3) diabetes self management and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
During a pandemic, there is a need for consistent, diabetes-specific, messaging from healthcare professionals for people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes need support to access digital resources to aid remote communication. Future research could help develop recourses to prevent social isolation and loneliness for people with type 2 diabetes during a pandemic.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased COVID-19 severity. Little is understood about the needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim
To examine the lived experiences of people with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
This qualitative study recruited people with type 2 diabetes from the SOUth-London Diabetes (SOUL-D) cohort. Semi-structured interviews via telephone were conducted between September 2020 and January 2021. Deductive thematic analysis derived themes from the data to explore needs, concerns and self-management experiences of people with type 2 diabetes.
Results
Twenty-nine people with type 2 diabetes were interviewed. Three themes with subthemes were outlined: (1) information needs of people with type 2 diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic, (2) concerns about Covid-19 from people with type 2 diabetes and (3) diabetes self management and well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
During a pandemic, there is a need for consistent, diabetes-specific, messaging from healthcare professionals for people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes need support to access digital resources to aid remote communication. Future research could help develop recourses to prevent social isolation and loneliness for people with type 2 diabetes during a pandemic.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e14883 |
| Journal | Diabetic Medicine |
| Early online date | 24 May 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 24 May 2022 |
