A solution-focused approach to understanding patient motivation in diabetes self-management: Gender differences and...

Healthcare providers often neglect to recognize the role they play in motivating patients with diabetes to perform self-management. Our aims were to understand what motivates patients with diabetes to implement recommended self-management practices and understand the role of the primary care team in patient motivation.

We use a solution-focused qualitative approach, supplemented with a quantitative scale. We used a purposive sampling strategy to invite patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and analyzed using content and thematic analysis.

Key motivators were strong support systems that included family and friends, the physician's communication style and message, fear of deterioration, and other intrinsic factors. Female family members were described as supportive; not all married women felt supported by their husbands. Women were more influenced by empathy and concern from their doctor, compared to men who were motivated by improved health literacy. Women with few family or friends were more disadvantaged, regardless of race/ethnicity.

While physicians play a vital role in motivating their patients, female patients may depend on this empathy more than males. The interdisciplinary care team can play an important role in helping patients create a support network where it may not exist.