International Journal of Health Sciences

Difficulties to Treatment Adherence according to the Perception of People Living with Type 2 Diabetes
Carlos Alberto Pegolo da Gama, Denise Alves Guimarães, Clareci Silva Cardoso, Joseane da Silva, Cláudia Di Lorenzo Oliveira

Abstract
Objective: Our aim was to identify the difficulties about treatment adherence as perceived by individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus who were being assisted in primary healthcare units in Brazil. Method: The semi structural interviews were carried out and all responses were analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis. Results: The final number (n = 12) of people with diabetes (PWD) interviewed was determined on the basis of data saturation. The difficulties were identified as poor relationships between PWD and healthcare professionals, insufficient information provided about diabetes, poor infrastructure and mismanagement in primary healthcare units, and the impact of the disease on quality of life. Conclusions: Although healthcare for PWD is guaranteed by federal legislation in Brazil, modifications to the system are required in order to improve the quality of the care provided. Practice Implications : the primary healthcare units could implement a few simple and feasible modifications such as: improving communication skills of healthcare professionals, improving communication and interaction between members of the medical team using readily available technology, implementing educational programs addressed to PWD and their families, putting into practice the home visits, stimulating healthcares to adopt a more concerned attitude towards the subjective needs of their patients.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v7n2a5