How do UK general practice staff understand and manage prediabetes? A focus group study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• General Practice
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes prevention is a national priority.
• Identifying and managing prediabetes through lifestyle change is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• Explore primary care clinicians' understanding of prediabetes.
• Examine communication of the prediabetes diagnosis and lifestyle advice.
• Identify perceived barriers to lifestyle change.

Main Methods:

• Three focus groups conducted with 25 primary care professionals in London.
• Thematic analysis of transcribed focus group discussions.
• Integration of social and behavioral science theories.

Main Results:

• Clinicians identified social determinants, clinical factors, patient motivation, and long-term care as influences.
• Management often focused on individual behaviors and numerical targets, neglecting social context.
• Limited attention was given to addressing social determinants such as poverty.

Conclusions:

• General practice diabetes prevention may miss upstream causes by focusing narrowly on behaviors.
• A decontextualized approach overlooks the social complexity of lifestyle choices.
• Recommendations include discussing social context in consultations and inter-sectoral collaboration for community-level change.