Type 2 Diabetes Burden and Diabetes Distress: The Buffering Effect of Patient-centred Communication.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim in this study was to assess the moderating role of patient-centred communication as a source of social support in the relationship between burden of diabetes and diabetes distress.

METHODS

Individuals with type 2 diabetes (N=1,267) completed validated tools of diabetes distress and multiple aspects of patient-centred communication. A path approach was used to evaluate the moderating role of patient-centred communication in the relationship between diabetes burden, as indicated by prescription of insulin and presence of complications, and distress.

RESULTS

Lower Hurried Communication, higher Elicited Concerns/Responded, higher Explained Results/Medications, greater Patient-centred Decision-making and Compassionate/Respectful were significantly associated with lower distress after controlling for burden. Hurried Communication, Explained Results/Medications and Patient-centred Decision-making moderated the relation between insulin and diabetes distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the stress-buffering hypothesis of patient-centred communication and imply that aspects of patient-centred communication may protect against diabetes-related distress.