Are we doing enough in Diabetes Care? Lessons from a Hermeneutic Phenomenological Investigation
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Date
2018-10-30
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Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hyperglycaemia as a result of disturbances linked with carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism owing to malfunctioning of the pancreas, with particular reference to insulin production or secretion, action or both. In Africa and Ghana in particular, it appears that diabetes mellitus is viewed as more than a biomedical disorder as patients hold certain health and illness beliefs and perceptions around the condition apart from what is known about the scientific causes and treatments of the disorder. There are explicit scientific treatments or protocols for diabetes which chiefly centre on medications, diet, exercise, monitoring of blood glucose and education. These basic medical guidelines are important to improve glycemic control of the affected persons to prevent complications associated with the disorder. It has been observed that aside the rudimentary medical care and practices that are offered to diabetes patients, their health and illness beliefs and perceptions need to be considered in the care of persons living with diabetes mellitus in Ghana. There is the need to focus attention on patients’ health and illness perceptions in diabetes care around (a) traditional beliefs regarding the origins of diabetes mellitus (b) social connotations ascribed to diabetes mellitus (c) patients’ responses/reactions to diagnosis of diabetes and resolution and (d) patients’ perceptions/concepts of seeking cure for diabetes mellitus and other issues. These may offer healthcare providers a better understanding of how to manage diabetes patients holistically in the Ghanaian context. Thus, the biomedical care approach may not single-handedly successfully manage this protracted condition in Ghana. However through the inclusion of an understanding of their health and illness beliefs and perceptions, the healthcare providers may recognize the unique life issues of Ghanaian diabetes patients, and how to offer them the needed support and care in an appropriate socio-cultural sensitive manner.
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Seminar
Keywords
Diabetes, chronic metabolic disorder, hyperglycaemia, healthcare