Improving Rehabilitation for People With Type 2 Diabetes: Experiences From a Qualitative Study in a Municipal Setting

BACKGROUND: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who have lower levels of education and income face an elevated risk of decreased participation in and adherence to diabetes rehabilitation programmes.

AIM: This study investigated how diabetes rehabilitation could be improved by revamping the organisation of the healthcare system and accommodating the actual needs of people with diabetes. It explored current diabetes rehabilitation interventions from the perspectives of healthcare professionals, managers and people living with T2D in a Danish municipality with a high proportion of people with low incomes and low levels of education.

METHODS: The research is based on empirical investigations in a municipality in Denmark. Seven individual qualitative interviews with people living with T2D, 5 individual qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals were conducted and 2 focus groups with managers and physiotherapists, respectively. The data analysis was inspired by Malterud's systematic text condensation. A hermeneutic-phenomenological interpretative approach was taken.

RESULTS: Three main categories were found: (1) The target group, (2) The municipality's efforts and (3) The organisational level. Based upon the analysis, the article discusses how both social relations and the municipal rehabilitation programmes are essential if diabetes rehabilitation is to be successful. For rehabilitation to be successful, intervention must be translated into everyday life.

CONCLUSION: Despite the dedicated efforts within the rehabilitation programme, individuals with T2D encountered challenges in altering their daily routines and habits. Healthcare professionals faced difficulties translating their diabetes expertise into tangible lifestyle changes for participants in the municipality's rehabilitation programmes. The fundamental importance of fostering supportive social relations both at home and within the community cannot be overstated for successful and effective rehabilitation.