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Focus Group Study Assessing Self-management Skills of Chinese Americans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

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Abstract

Despite a rapid growth of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese Americans, the management of diabetes in this population is yet understudied. This pilot study attempts a first step in seeking solutions to decrease demand for health services in this population by improving patients’ self-care. Focus groups were conducted in well-controlled (HbA1c < 7) and poorly-controlled (HbA1c > 8) Chinese Americans with Type 2 DM who were asked about their knowledge and self-care skills of diabetes as well as experience of living with the disease. Well-controlled had more insights in their illness and were more inquisitive, while poorly-controlled were more fixated on symptoms and side effects of treatments. Common themes for both groups included interest in diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The findings provide valuable information to design a survey instrument to more definitively assess self-care skills differentiating levels of control, suggest that changing attitudes and behaviors need to be a stronger focus in care and identify needs to provide more culturally appropriate materials to care for this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA

    Yue Wang

  2. Department of Medicine, Gouverneur Healthcare Services, New York, NY, USA

    Les Chuang

  3. Medical and Professional Affairs, Gouverneur Healthcare Services, 227 Madison St.-Room 1252, New York, NY, 10002, USA

    William B. Bateman

Authors
  1. Yue Wang
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  2. Les Chuang
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  3. William B. Bateman
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Correspondence to William B. Bateman.

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Wang, Y., Chuang, L. & Bateman, W.B. Focus Group Study Assessing Self-management Skills of Chinese Americans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Immigrant Minority Health 14, 869–874 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9514-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9514-1

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