Adaption to Frequent Finger Sticks for Diabetics

Kristi Burns, BSN, RN

University of Texas at Tyler

Introduction

Qualitative Method

Phenomenon of Interest: The adaption to

frequent finger stick blood sugar checks from the
perspective of older adult type 2 diabetics.

Research Question: How do elderly Type 2 Diabetic patients overcome the barriers

Background and Significance: 18.8 million

people in the United States is diagnosed with
Diabetes Mellitus. 10.9 million are aged 65 years
and older (American Diabetes Association, 2013).
Barriers to self-monitoring of blood glucose nonadherence may include cost, pain, inconvenience,
time, failure to understand control goals, and not
knowing how to use the information obtained
(Pearce, 2009).
The intention of this study is to take a closer
look at the barriers to blood glucose self
monitoring from the individual patients
perspective. This study will assist health care
providers in providing education and resources to
elderly diabetic patients in regards to self
management.

experienced with blood glucose self monitoring?

Data Analysis and Interpretation based on Giorgis

analytical method (Polit & Beck, 2012, p. 566).

Research Design:
Use of Case Study
In-depth description of the experience.
This particular design aims to give a more in-depth description of the experiences of a person or group through
observation and interaction with the subject(s) which is important in proper education of diabetes self management.

Step 1: Read all of the interview material to get a

sense of the whole.
Bracketing out preconceived views

Sampling Method:
Sample Size 10 participants
Purposive, criterion sampling cases or individuals who meet a certain criterion, e.g., have a certain disease or
have had a particular life experience (Given, 2008). All participants must have diabetes and have experienced barriers
to blood glucose self monitoring.

Step 3: Determine and describe the psychological

relevance of each of the meaning units.
Intuiting remain open to the meanings
attributed to the phenomenon by those who
have experienced it.

Data Collection:
Nonstructured interviews Researchers begin by asking a grand tour question related to the topic. Subsequent questions are more focused and
are guided by responses to the broad question (Polit & Beck, 2012).
Conversational and interactive (pg. 536).
Direct Observation
The aim of such observations is to understand the behaviors and experiences of people as they actually occur in
naturalistic settings (Polit & Beck, 2012).
Watching and recording behaviors without the observers participating in activities (pg. 544).

Step 2: Discriminate units from participants

description of phenomenon being studied.
Identify commonalities within the data

Step 4: Synthesize the experiences of the

participants into a consistent statement

Protection of Human
Subjects
The following will be explained to each
participant prior to the initiation of the study:
Informed consent and reason for study
Protection of participants medical information as
indicated by HIPPA guidelines
Ability to withdraw from study at any time.
This proposal will be presented to the IRB of the
institution and the IRB of UT Tyler for approval

Review of Literature
Diabetes self-management can be difficult and
frustrating for both patients and practitioners.
Information is needed about which barriers present
the greatest obstacles for which types of patients,
and from this, practical, cost effective interventions
need to be developed (Glasgow, Toobert, &
Gillette, 2001).
Based on the research to date, the general
psychosocial barriers that seem most strongly and
consistently related to low levels of selfmanagement and diabetes-related quality of
life are low self-efficacy and low levels of family
social support. There are also emerging literatures,
including multiple prospective studies, supporting
the impact of both depression and Personal Models
of Diabetes on diabetes outcomes. Finally, two
more specific measures of barriers, fear of
hypoglycemia and diabetes-related distress, appear
to be clinically useful (Glasgow, Toobert, &
Gillette, 2001).

Data Analysis

Trustworthiness/Rigor
REFERENCES
American Diabetes Association. (2013). Statistics about
Diabietes. Retrieved from
www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?loc=db-slabnav
Given, L.M. (2008). The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative
Research Methods. Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA. Volume 2.
697-698.
Glasgow, R.E.; Toobert, D.J.; Gillette, C.D. (2001).
Psychosocial Barriers to Diabetes Self Management &
Quality of Life. Diabetes Spectrum. 14(1). 33-41.
Pearce, L. (2009). Helping Older Adults with Diabetes
Overcome Barriers to Control. Review of Endocrinology.
Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating
and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.