Barriers to and facilitators of self-management adherence in Korean older adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to and facilitators of self-management adherence in Korean older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Design and methods: Qualitative data collected from 24 participants in three focus groups who had previously taken part in a diabetes self-management education programme in a community setting were analyzed using an interpretive method.

Results: The barriers to adherence to self-management included ageing-related physical and psychological changes, restrictions related to specific cultural factors, lack of self-discipline and poor understanding of self-management. Facilitators of self-management were knowing the benefits of and having a system to reinforce self-management, being the master of oneself by reshaping historical life habits and family support. The perceived barriers and facilitators differed with gender as a result of the characteristics of Korean culture.

Conclusions: This study identified the major barriers to and facilitators of self-management adherence specific to Korean older adults with diabetes, which can be used to develop better diabetes self-management education programmes for this population.

Relevance to clinical practice: Korean nurses working with Korean older adults with diabetes can utilize the findings of this study to structure better tailored and culturally appropriate self-management programmes specific to older adults.