You might be surprised to find that type 2 diabetes is not only a personal health issue, but also a rapid rise in global health emergencies. With Thailand’s prevalence on a global scale greatly increasing, Thailand finds itself dealing with this challenge among the top Asian countries. The sharp increase in diabetes cases in Thailand is largely due to a significant increase in unhealthy diet and obesity rates.
In the heart of Thailand, a study on storytelling and personal experiences reveals the complex journey of individuals in their struggle with type 2 diabetes and their struggles to control their blood sugar levels. This study, led by Patcharee Numsang from Srimahasarakham Nursing College, and joined by colleagues Sakaorat Kraichan and Puangkaew Sarapoke from the same college, Professor Areewan Oumtanee from Chulalongkorn University, Suwakon Kurat from the College of Asian Scholars, and Rattana Sananok from Mahasarakham Hospital, provide Get an in-depth understanding of the daily life and challenges faced by people who are in this situation. The study, published in the International Journal of Nursing Science, is rare in personal experiences of eight Thais suffering from this condition.
The researchers used a qualitative approach based on storytelling to carefully select eight participants from major health care centers in northeastern Thailand. Data collection spanned several months at the end of 2021, utilizing a single detailed interview, observational notes and non-participatory observations. This method was chosen to fully understand the participants’ experience. Interviews were conducted at participants’ homes to ensure their responses were comfortable and authentic. Structured interviews were divided into two parts: personal and demographic details and experiences related to poor blood sugar levels and self-care management. Each interview lasted about an hour, and each word was transcribed to capture the nature of the participants’ stories and opinions.
Patcharee Numsang explained: “In this study, people with diabetes found that their blood sugar control was poor. For example, lifestyle unhealthy due to their self-care practices and knowledge related to diet, medication use and exercise,” explains Patcharee Numsang. , as misunderstandings and concerns about complexity and culturally related beliefs. “The study found that cultural influence and personal beliefs often obscure medical advice, leading to poor dietary choices and insufficient self-care.
The study reveals that despite extensive medical knowledge and guidance, many people struggle with practical aspects of diabetes management. Inconsistent lifestyle practices such as irregular medication intake and exercise habits were common among participants.
Numsang further elaborated: “A person’s accurate understanding of blood sugar control may be critical to successfully altering self-care management behaviors in diabetes, because both disease understanding and self-management practices are related to blood sugar control. Other research on self-perception of blood sugar control has found that Misunderstandings are associated with high adherence to lifestyle programs, level of family support, inability to control blood pressure, and suffering from diabetes complications.”
Participants also revealed a deep-rooted belief that diabetes is a genetic disease that they must accept as an inevitable part of life. Such resignation often leads to a lack of active management of the disease, thereby increasing the risk of complications. The study also highlights the psychological effects of diabetes, in which daily stresses of socio-economic challenges further hinder effective blood sugar control.
Numsang and her team highlight the key role of healthcare professionals in addressing these challenges. They advocate a more culturally sensitive approach to diabetes education and management. Adjusting interventions to align with personal beliefs and lifestyles can significantly improve diabetes care in Thailand.
The study calls for more comprehensive, culturally adjustable strategies for diabetes patients to effectively manage their condition to achieve a more comprehensive, culturally adjustable strategy. The insights from this study not only contribute to existing knowledge bodies, but also provide practical guidance for healthcare providers aimed at improving diabetes care in culturally diverse settings.
Journal Reference
Patcharee Numsang et al., 2023. “The blood sugar experiences of people with type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled.” International Journal of Nursing Science. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.09.004
About the author
Patcharee Numsang He is a PhD candidate at the School of Nursing at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok and works at the Srimahasarakham Nursing College in Maha Sarakham Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand. Her research focuses on chronic disease and adult care, including qualitative studies (i.e., grounded theory, descriptive qualitative studies) and quantitative studies; for example, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. Additionally, she is interested in instrument development, R&D and nursing practice guidelines. As a result, these multiple experiences have enhanced her understanding of caring for patients with chronic diseases over the past three decades, such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, as well as some issues in cancer and palliative care.
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joint. Professor Dr. Arewan Oumtanee He is a faculty member of Chulalongkorn University, Nursing College, Bangkok, Thailand. Her areas of expertise are 1) nursing management, including leadership, nurse competence, nursing entrepreneurship; 2) qualitative research, including grounded theories in phenomenology and nursing science; 3) instrument development in nursing research. Her multifaceted contribution highlights her commitment to promoting nursing knowledge, shaping competent nursing professionals and fostering research-rich environments. Her dedication to nursing education, management and research significantly affects the wider health care landscape in Thailand and beyond.
Suwakon Kurat He is a lecturer at the School of Nursing at the Academy of Asian Scholars, Hawken College, Thailand. Her research focuses on chronic diseases and adult care, and she has conducted research on health promotion, long-term care, delayed renal dysfunction and palliative care, such as diabetes management, health promotion in adults and older adults and the need for care and responses In cancer patients.
Rattana Sananok He is the head of the Samukkee Primary Care Department (PCU) of Mahasarakham Hospital in Thailand. Her research focuses on community of practice, community health care and general practice. As the head of the PCU, she conducted clinical trials to help explain self-management and health promotion to affect health care; for example, health promotion in middle-aged and elderly people with diabetes and self-management behaviors.
Sakaorat Kraichan He is the deputy director of the Nursing College of Srimahasarakham Nursing College, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Thailand. Her research focuses on leadership, teamwork, nursing management, chronic disease and elderly care. As a lecturer, she researches nurse moderators, community-based seniors and health promotion.
Puangkaew Sarapoke He is a lecturer at the Nursing School of Srimahasarakham Nursing School, Praboromarajchanok College, Thailand. Her research focuses on chronic diseases and adult care. As a lecturer, she researched the application of ethics hospital concepts, the success of the implementation of quality assurance for education, and health promotion for adults and older adults.
