What employees with diabetes mellitus need to cope at work: views of employees and health professionals

Abstract

Objective: To identify and compare patient and professional perspectives on what enables employees with diabetes mellitus (DM) to maintain their position in the workplace. To provide information on how professionals can help DM patients cope at work.

Methods: Qualitative study using concept-mapping sessions involving 23 employees with DM and 22 health professionals (GP's, occupational physicians and specialists). All of the health professionals were experts in the field of diabetes care.

Results: Patients and professionals identified five common clusters of statements on what diabetics need to enable them to cope at work: the ability to accept and cope with DM, supportive health professionals, a supportive work environment, work adaptations and good information. Patients emphasized the importance of emotional acceptance of DM and communication with colleagues, while the professionals emphasized the patient's capacity for self-care.

Conclusion: The content of patient and professional perspectives on what is needed to prevent work-related problems for DM patients differed slightly. Patients rely on direct experiences in their own environment, professionals on medical knowledge accumulated in groups of patients.

Practice implications: Both perspectives were used to suggest a topic list for health professionals, which may help identify and address the occupational problems experienced by DM patients.