Exploring facilitators and barriers to self-management engagement of Chinese people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and poor blood glucose control: A descriptive qualitative study

Abstract Background: Blood glucose is poorly controlled and self-management engagement is inadequate in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to self-management engagement of Chinese people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.Methods: Patients wit poorly controlled type 2 diabetes were recruited from National Metabolic Management Center. Purposive sampling method was used for recruitment. Semi-structured interview and thematic analysis was used for data collection and analysis. Results: 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Poor blood glucose increased awareness of susceptibility to complications, which motivated self-management engagement. However, emotional burdens could be concomitant. General knowledge about lifestyle management was useless for successful lifestyle management engagement. Unhealthy habits impeded lifestyle management engagement. Temporary remission of hyperglycemia and no perceived physical symptoms interfered engagement of medication therapy and regular blood glucose monitoring. Family and work environment could impact self-management engagement. Accessibility to reliable diabetes-related information could also influence self-management engagement.Conclusions: Increasing patients’ awareness of poor blood glucose status and susceptibility to complications is essential. However, concomitant emotional burdens could be concomitant. Formulating customized lifestyle management plans should be considered to replace providing general knowledge. Behavior change technologies should integrate in current Chinese diabetes services. Diabetes educators should emphasize the natural progression of diabetes and the importance of medication therapy continuity. Furthermore, the value of blood glucose monitoring should be clarified. Policies on building diabetes-friendly family and work environments should be considered. Building a channel that provides reliable diabetes-related information and is accessible in routine life is essential.