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Provider-patient communication and metabolic control
R L Street1, V K Piziak, W S Carpentier
1Department of Speech Communication, Texas A & M University College of Medicine, College Station 77843-4234.
Diabetes Care
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Controlling nurse communication negatively impacts metabolic control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Patient-centered communication enhances patient engagement and decision-making, leading to better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Diabetes Management
- Patient-Provider Communication
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial for managing chronic conditions like non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
- Understanding communication dynamics between nurses and NIDDM patients can inform strategies for improved metabolic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nurse and NIDDM patient communication styles and subsequent metabolic control.
- To identify factors influencing communication patterns during patient-nurse consultations.
Main Methods:
- 47 NIDDM patients underwent baseline HbA1c assessment and diabetes education.
- Communication variables (controlling, informative, patient-centered utterances) were coded from follow-up nurse consultations.
- Patient communication behaviors (information seeking, decision making, affect expression) were also analyzed.
Main Results:
- Higher nurse controlling communication correlated with poorer patient metabolic control (r = 0.39, P < 0.01).
- Patient-centered nurse communication was linked to increased patient affect expression (r = 0.34, P < 0.01) and decision-making (r = 0.62, P < 0.01).
- Communication patterns were influenced by patient characteristics like age, sex, education, and baseline HbA1c.
Conclusions:
- Excessive provider control during NIDDM consultations may be counterproductive, potentially worsening metabolic outcomes.
- Patient-centered communication strategies empower patients, fostering active participation and potentially improving diabetes management.