The meaning of diabetes for individuals who develop diabetic foot ulcer: a qualitative study informed by social constructivism and symbolic interactionism frameworks

Abstract

Objective This qualitative inquiry explored the meaning associated with diabetes for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who developed diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methodology This qualitative study used a social constructivism and symbolic interactionism (SI) framework to guide the study design. The participants for this study were 30 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and a DFU who met the research criteria and attended a wound care clinic in Ontario, Canada, between April and August 2017. Results Qualitative content analysis revealed three major subcategories that represent the core category (the meaning of diabetes) along with participants' perception of having diabetes and its particular complication -- 1) diabetes is a lifelong disease that you need to live with, 2) diabetes can damage your body, and 3) diabetes can kill you slowly. Conclusions The complexity of self-care and the consequences of unregulated diabetes influenced participants' perception, meaning, motivation, actions and reactions to diabetes. Understanding that each person with diabetes is unique and may experience or are affected by the disease in different ways helps healthcare providers (HCPs) to better understand how to address each individual's unique and complex needs.