Self-neglect in elderly diabetic patients in the community:an interpretive phenomenological study / 中华护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the experience and causes of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community,so as to provide references for community nursing workers to identify and intervene the self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients.Methods An interpretative phenomenological method was used to collect data from elderly diabetic patients registered in 3 community health service centers in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province through semi-structured interviews.Van Manen's method was used to analyze qualitative data.Results The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community were summarized into 4 themes and 10 sub-themes,including neglecting personal health(low sense of self-worth,high level of self-esteem,being afraid of compromising the family),neglecting blood glucose management(weak health awareness,difficulty in blood glucose management),inadequate self-care capacity(poor financial situation,insufficient personal time,diminished mobility)and inadequate perceived support(low social support,insufficient emotional support).Conclusion The experience and reasons of self-neglect of elderly diabetic patients in community are diversified.Community health services and nursing workers should pay attention to the performance of self-neglect behavior of elderly diabetic patients and actively explore effective prevention and intervention measures.