What is it about?

Background In England, although The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommends that patients’ religious beliefs should be incorporated into individual healthcare plans, these components are often neglected in diabetes management care plans. A literature review identified a paucity of research regarding how the spirituality of British people may influence their approach their self-management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aims To explore how the spirituality of adults with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), living in England, influenced their coping and self-management of diet and exercise. Methods The biographic narrative interpretive method for two interviews per participant and thematic analysis for data interrogation (n=8). Contextual data of hba1c, living situation, age, length of time since T2D diagnosis, body mass index and diabetic medicines contextualized the interview data. Results Participants spirituality, health beliefs, coping and sense of responsibility for T2D self-management overlapped in complex layers. Three themes were generated: (1) spirituality influences expectations in life; (2) beliefs influence coping styles of diabetes self-management, and (3) responsibility influences diabetes self-management. A model was created to assist nurses address these components.

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Why is it important?

Nurses should consider how patients’ self-management of T2D may be influenced by their spirituality, health beliefs, coping and sense of responsibility. A model was created to assist nurses address these components.

Perspectives

Nurses may find it difficult approaching the subject of spirituality with patients. However, most patients appreciate being asked about what matters to them, and what gives them strenth to cope. By opening up this converstation with patients, nurses may gain insight into incorporating patients' spirituality into their planned care. The literature review related to this article also gives a model about how to open discussions with patients about their spirituality. See: Duke, N & Wigley, W. (2016) Literature Review: The Self-Management of Diet, Exercise and Medicine Adherence of People with Type 2 Diabetes is Influenced by Their Spiritual Beliefs. Journal of Diabetes Nursing. 20 (5) 184-190.

Dr Natasha Duke
University of Southampton

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This page is a summary of: Type 2 diabetes self-management: spirituality, coping and responsibility, Journal of Research in Nursing, December 2021, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/17449871211026958.
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