The production and effects of uncertainty with special reference to diabetes mellitus

Ninety-one patients of one consultant physician were followed up for 1 year. All were newly diagnosed as suffering from diabetes mellitus. Patients were found to be distressed by continuing uncertainties about the nature of the disease from which they suffered and about important aspects of self-management required of them. The 'doctor-centered' style of communication adopted by health professionals was not conducive to the resolution of these uncertainties.