Date of Award

2011-03-01

Degree Name

PhD Nursing

Dissertation Committee

Jane M. Georges, Chairperson; Cynthia D. Connelly; Pamela G. Reed

Keywords

caring communication, Diabetes, Diabetic outcomes, nursing, people living with Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of caring communication for people living with diabetes (PLD) and the relationship to diabetic outcomes. Caring communication has not been studied for improving diabetic outcomes. Randomized control trials (RCTs) direct care, however people do not do what they told, they need to be included in their care. PLD need a voice to establish what is important to them. Incorporating medical, communication, and nursing science as multidisciplinary approach within a theoretical framework can be predictive diabetic outcomes. Methods. A correlational cross sectional survey design study was done. A sample of 107 patients with diabetes from two clinics in Southern California participated. The sample was recruited from naturally occurring appointments schedules and patients were asked to complete the survey. A clinical record review followed for benchmark data. Results. Overall the PLD diabetes received care very close to benchmarks. The participant's scored 88% indicating a high level of caring communication. Men approached significance to have A1c within normal limits [x² (1) = 3.73, p < .053] compared to females. Gender, age, length of time with diabetes and caring communication predicted 65.3% to have A1c within normal limits; length of time with diabetes, synergy, sharing, reciprocity, and gender predicted 64.3% for have A1c within normal limits; caring communication, gender, age, and marital status predicted 69.3% of cases for having a SBP within normal limits; and time with diabetes, gender, synergy, sharing, and reciprocity predicated 68.3% of the cases to have a SBP within normal limits. Conclusions. Caring communication does influence diabetic outcomes. Females tend to have better A1c than men. As one increases time with diabetes, there outcomes tend to be better than newly diagnosed people with diabetes. Shared decision making, exploring possibilities, not feeling intimidated by the healthcare providers are important for better diabetic outcomes.

Document Type

Dissertation: Open Access

Department

Nursing

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