J Korean Acad Nurs.  2021 Feb;51(1):92-104. 10.4040/jkan.20231.

Diabetes Self-Management Experience of Patients with Diabetes: Focused on the Visually Impaired

• Chang SJ
• Lee Ke
• Yang E
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2513461
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.20231

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to understand and describe the diabetes self-management experience of visually impaired people with diabetes.
Methods
Ten participants were recruited through a website used by the visually impaired from February to March 2020. Data were collected through two focus group interviews conducted in June 2020; each group consisted of five participants. All interviews were recorded with the consent of the participants and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results
Seven categories were as follows; a two-faced, lifelong companion, an unprepared encounter, struggle to live, love-hate relationship with family, strategies to adapt, lessening attention to self-management, the desire to learn properly.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the visually impaired have fewer opportunities for receiving diabetes self-management education than general diabetic patients. Consequently, plans to improve the education available to such patients are required. Additionally, psychological counseling and diabetes education for patients’ families are necessary, and improving the perception of medical workers regarding the visually impaired will be prove useful.

Keyword

Qualitative Research; Focus Groups; Visually Impaired Persons; Diabetes Mellitus; Self-Management