Are differences between patient and provider explanatory models of diabetes associated with patient self-management and glycemic control?

Susan C. Weller, Roberta D. Baer, Javier Garcia de Alba Garcia, Ana L.Salcedo Rocha

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    In this study we test whether differences between patient and provider explanatory models of diabetes affect selfmanagement and glucose control in type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetic patients (n=60) and family practice physicians (n=39) in Guadalajara, Mexico, responded to a structured explanatory model interview (130 questions on causes, symptoms, and treatments). A cultural consensus analysis indicated a widely shared model among physicians and provided a single shared set of answers to the questions. Patient- provider congruence in beliefs was assessed by comparing each patient's responses with the physician answer set. Congruence in beliefs predicted self- management behaviors (r=0.27, p=.03), more than educational level (r=0.16, p=.23), but was not predictive of A1C (r=0.12, p=.40). Differences between patient and physician explanatory models can adversely affect patientdirected activities and may indirectly affect glycemic control by affecting self- management. Th ese differences may be due to low patient educational level and resulting problems in understanding biomedical approaches to diabetes.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1498-1510
    Number of pages13
    JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
    Volume24
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Nov 11 2013

    Keywords

    • Cultural consensus model
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Explanatory models
    • Mexican americans
    • Mexicans

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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