Authors : Tengku Puteri Nadiah Tengku Baharudin Shah; Nurul Nadhirah Nasir; Nur Izzati Mohammed Nadzri; Albeny Joslyn Panting, Nadia Amirudin, Norbaidurah Ithnain; Siti Nurhanim Mohamed Aimanan; Khairul Amar Musa; Manimaran Krishnan Kaundan; Rosnani Kassim
Volume/Issue : Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar : https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd : https://bit.ly/3Xey5gL
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7514489
Objective Amidst the increased diabetes
prevalence in Malaysia, it is important to look into matters
that influence patients’ self-management. Patients’
knowledge has been determined as an initiator for the
improvement in diabetes self-management. This study
aimed to explore patients’ experiences, views, and
challenges in obtaining diabetes knowledge as well as to
assess the information needs among patients. Method Type
2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients (n=21) were recruited
from Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah and Meru
Health Clinic in Klang via purposive sampling. In-depth
Interviews (IDI) were performed using a semi-structured
interview guide comprising open-ended questions. All data
were analysed thematically. Results The patients aged
between 29 to 79 years old and the majority were male.
Most of the patients had T2DM for more than 5 years.
Their main sources of information were healthcare
providers (HCP) and the media. Although patients
obtained the required knowledge on diabetes from the
HCP, they still faced certain challenges, including the need
for further information, especially on medication and
dietary practice. Conclusion T2DM patients mainly sought
information from the HCP and media since both sources
were easily accessible and approachable. However, certain
information, particularly on medication and diet, was
vague and redundant. Thus, patients often requested
further detailed information to aid the development of
their self-management skills. An individual-based
diagnostic instrument can be beneficial as it can serve as
the guideline to oversee the needs and issues in tackling
patients’ issues in DM management. Furthermore,
government and other relevant stakeholders can diversify
the approaches to improve the information delivery
process by optimising effective communication channels
(i.e., printed, internet, broadcasting) to cater to T2DM
patients’ information needs.
Keywords : Diabetes Management, DM, Information Need, Knowledge, T2DM.