SEE-Diabetes, a patient-centered diabetes self-management education and support for older adults: Findings and information needs from patients' perspectives. Issue 3 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Narindrarangkura, Ploypun; Boren, Suzanne A.; Khan, Uzma; Day, Margaret; Simoes, Eduardo J.; Kim, Min Soon
• Is Part Of: Primary care diabetes. Volume 16:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 395
• Page End: 403
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Older adults -- Patient-centered education -- Diabetes self-management education and support -- Survey -- Focus groups; Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2022.02.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9918

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: This study identified the information needs of people with diabetes aged 65 and older through surveys and focus groups to inform the development of a patient-centered educational decision aid for diabetes care, SEE-Diabetes (Support-Engage-Empower-Diabetes). Methods: We conducted survey (N = 37) and three focus groups (N = 9). The survey collected demographics, diabetes duration, insulin usage, and clinic notes accessibility through a patient portal. In focus groups, participants evaluated the Assessment and Plan section of three selected deidentified clinic notes to assess readability and helpfulness for diabetes care. Results: The mean age of participants was 66 (24–82, SD = 12), and 22 were female (60%). The mean diabetes duration was 20.9 years (1–63, SD=15). Most participants (80%) read their clinical notes via patient portal. In the focus groups, the readability of clinic notes was noted as a primary concern because of medical abbreviations and poor formatting. Participants found the helpfulness of clinic notes was negatively impacted by vague or insufficient self-care information. Conclusions: We found the high use of patient portal for reading clinic notes, which offers a use case opportunity for the proposed SEE-Diabetes educational aid. Feedback about the readability and helpfulness of clinic notes will be considered during the design process. Highlights: Follow-up clinic notes lacked patient-centered education for diabetes patients. Almost 80% of participants read their clinic notes and used patient portals. Readability was concerned because of medical abbreviations and poor formatting. Most participants recognized the helpfulness of clinic notes. Clinic notes should be written at the sixth-grade reading level.