[Patient and health professional perceptions on the quality of care provided to diabetic patients].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the knowledge and perceptions of patients and health professionals on the factors that influence the quality and continuity of care of diabetic patients provided in Primary Care.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A qualitative study using a phenomenological perspective.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical and nursing professionals working in Primary Care Centres in the city of Zaragoza, and patients with diabetes mellitus attended in the same centres. Two group (focus group) and 6 individual interviews were carried out in February and March 2010. A predetermined script, with the variables to explore, was used.

RESULTS

The patients and health professionals interviewed identified problems in assuming diabetes as a chronic disease. Among the factors related to success in changing habits and lifestyles, were gender (women showed greater difficulties to change), type of job and work situation. Health professionals identified the availability of guidelines and protocols, and personal motivation as factors that work in favour; and lack of time and current information systems as factors that hamper the provision of good quality care. There were discrepancies among health professionals as regards the role played by patient groups and associations.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to take into account the factors that make changes in habits and lifestyles difficult, such as gender and the employment situation, when designing actions aimed at modifying risk factors in diabetic patients.