Date of Conferral

4-13-2024

Date of Award

April 2024

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Michael Schwab

Abstract

The patient-healthcare provider relationship (PPR) is the foundation of clinical care: it is established as a human relationship and has a profound effect on health outcomes. Though PPR has been studied in multiple health domains, there is very little on its role in managing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to better understand the challenges faced by healthcare providers (HCP) and T2DM patients within the clinical PPR for diabetes selfmanagement. The health belief model served as the theoretical framework and the diabetes self-management education program as the conceptual framework. Participants were recruited through medical groups, public bulletin boards, and organizations supported by the American Diabetes Association. In-depth interviews were conducted with physicians and other healthcare providers and T2DM patients. Data were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed to identify emergent themes. Data analysis was done manually and by using the NVivo qualitative software. Five themes emerged: (a) Most patients recognize the importance of the PPR, (b) many patients have grievances with medical treatments, (c) HCPs consider trust and respect essential in the PPR, (d) patients want to feel acknowledged by their provider and seen as human beings, and (d) providers recommend more time with their patients and more willingness to forge a partnership with them. Positive social change derived from the study may include T2DM interventions that improve patients’ desire to reduce T2DM, relevant technological innovations to assist in enhancing diabetes self-management, and improved effectiveness of communication between the HCPs and T2DM patients.

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