The cardiac patients' perceptions of their responsibilities in adherence to care: a qualitative interview study

The Role of the Person Focused IARA Model in Reducing Anxiety and Improving Body Awareness and Illness Management in Diabetics with Acquired Lipodystrophy: A Mixed-Method Study

Background: Lipodystrophy is one of the most frequent complications in people with diabetes following subcutaneous insulin therapy, and poor management can lead to several problems, such as impaired glycemic control and adherence to therapy, anxiety, and depression. Poor injection technique represents the main risk factor for lipodystrophies. In order to enhance the patient’s insulin injection technique to heal lipodystrophy, improve psychological indices, and promote involvement in their health and care, the efficacy of emerging person-centered care called the IARA model was tested. Methods: A total of 49 patients were randomly allocated to the IARA group (Experimental; n = 25) or standard education (Control; n = 24). The following questionnaires were used in a mixed-method design: (i) State Anxiety Scale; (ii) Beck Depression Inventory; (iii) Italian Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities. An ad hoc open-ended questionnaire was structured for the qualitative analysis. Finally, photos were taken in order to verify if injection sites were changed until the follow-up at 12 months. The number of patients who participated until the completion of the study was 17 in the IARA and 11 in the Control group. Results: State anxiety was significantly reduced in people who followed IARA to follow-up at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.05). The IARA group also demonstrated better compliance in blood glucose monitoring and foot-care compared to Control at follow-up at 12 months. The management of insulin injections dramatically improved in participants who received IARA intervention. Conclusions: IARA could be considered an effective strategy to improve well-being and compliance in people affected with diabetes mellitus and lipodystrophy complications.

A qualitative study of patient's perceptions of two cardiac rehabilitation models

BACKGROUND

Understanding patients' perceptions about rehabilitation can guide healthcare administrators on modifications of program elements, which can ultimately improve cardiac rehabilitation (CR) use, adherence of heart-health behaviors, and improvements in clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the perception of patients about their participation in CR.

METHODS

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, performed in a public CR center in Brazil. Twenty-eight patients were interviewed 2-years following participation in two CR models: exercise-based and comprehensive CR.

RESULTS

Themes identified included: knowledge acquisition, improvement in functionality, and psychosocial well-being. It appeared that the perceived benefits of CR participation were overall positive and similar between the two models; however, those in the comprehensive CR identified additional subthemes: self-care need and knowledge transfer.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that patients from two different CR models perceived in the long term that the CR participation positively impacted their disease-related knowledge, promoted functional gains, and improved psychosocial well-being. Structured educational interventions seemed to be associated with improved participants' perception about CR, which could contribute to long-term maintenance of heart-health behavior and better outcomes.