Title | Does physician communication influence older patients' diabetes self-management and glycemic control? Results from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2007 |
Authors | Heisler, MM, Cole, I, Weir, DR, Kerr, EA, Hayward, RA |
Journal | J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci |
Volume | 62 |
Issue | 12 |
Pagination | 1435-42 |
Date Published | 2007 Dec |
ISSN Number | 1079-5006 |
Call Number | newpubs2008_Heisler_etal.pdf |
Keywords | Aged, Blood Glucose, Communication, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diabetes Mellitus, Female, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Male, Multivariate Analysis, Physician-Patient Relations, Self Care |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Effective chronic disease self-management among older adults is crucial for improved clinical outcomes. We assessed the relative importance of two dimensions of physician communication-provision of information (PCOM) and participatory decision-making (PDM)-for older patients' diabetes self-management and glycemic control. METHODS: We conducted a national cross-sectional survey among 1588 older community-dwelling adults with diabetes (response rate: 81%). Independent associations were examined between patients' ratings of their physician's PCOM and PDM with patients' reported diabetes self-management (medication adherence, diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, and foot care), adjusting for patient sociodemographics, illness severity, and comorbidities. Among respondents for whom hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values were available (n=1233), the relationship was assessed between patient self-management and HbA1c values. RESULTS: In separate multivariate regressions, PCOM and PDM were each associated with overall diabetes self-management (p<.001) and with all self-management domains (p<.001 in all models), with the exception of PDM not being associated with medication adherence. In models with both PCOM and PDM, PCOM alone predicted medication adherence (p=.001) and foot care (p=.002). PDM alone was associated with exercise and blood glucose monitoring (both p<.001) and was a stronger independent predictor than PCOM of diet. Better patient ratings of their diabetes self-management were associated with lower HbA1c values (B= -.10, p=.005). CONCLUSION: Among these older adults, both their diabetes providers' provision of information and efforts to actively involve them in treatment decision-making were associated with better overall diabetes self-management. Involving older patients in setting chronic disease goals and decision-making, however, appears to be especially important for self-care areas that demand more behaviorally complex lifestyle adjustments such as exercise, diet, and blood glucose monitoring. |
DOI | 10.1093/gerona/62.12.1435 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | aging/Chronic Illness/diabetes |
Endnote ID | 18740 |
Alternate Journal | J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci |
Citation Key | 7178 |
PubMed ID | 18166697 |
Grant List | P60DK-20572 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States U01 AG09740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |