Introduction
Written by Andrew Long and Tina Gambling, the article Enhancing Health Literacy and Behavioral change within a Tele-care Education and Support Intervention for People with Type 2 Diabetes is a must-read research that strategically presents the best ways of enhancing health literacy and behavioral change within a tele-care education. It investigates the supportive interventions that are done for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The study’s main goal is to find out the level of confidence of people with “type 2 diabetes, as well as the in depth changes in diabetes related knowledge” (Long & Tina, 2011, p. 261). Two professionals, Andrew Long, a professor in the school of heath care in the University of Leeds, and Tina Gambling, senior lecturer in the school of health care studies from the University of Cardiff, conducted the research, which was published in March 2011 after meeting the accepted quality and standards of a research paper. The research findings have assisted in great depth to enlighten various peoples on the issues pertaining to chronic diseases, specifically diabetes type 2.
Methodology used for research
Methodology refers to the steps of actions that the researcher undertook to gather data for analysis and interpretation. Methodology that is selected depends on the nature of the study and the required information. Various researchers employ different methodologies in their studies to ensure that they achieve their goals. In this research, the researcher adopted a two-year prospective observational study design. In this method, the researcher used questionnaires to collect information from a sampled audience. Data was collected in two phases. At the initial stage of conducting the research, and after duration of two years. Furthermore, in-depth interviews were used with a subsample. In the questionnaires, the questions were centered on the acceptability of various aspects of the proactive call centers’ treatment support. They consisted of 20 statements where every statement was scored on a five-point scale. Two questions were open-ended questions and they asked about any changes they experienced after they were exposed to advice and support services. It further asked on how they perceived about the controls measures in place. In the next phase of data collection, questions were modified. They contained four open-ended questions that covered three most important issues including treatment support centre, feelings of control, and whether PACCTS could be recommended to others and lastly on the relationship that existed between them and the tele-carers. These questionnaires further included eighteen diabetes empowered scale and two other confidential statements that were all scored on a five-scale point. The questionnaires also included background information about the age, level of glycaemic control, and gender among other important information. In-depth interviews were also used in collection of information that helped in analyzing and determining the findings. A sample of 25 patients was taken from interviewees. They were categorized into four groups based on the pre and post randomized control trial HbA1c results. Some patients control was either good or poor or had deteriorated. The number of women and men included in the interview was the same. Therefore, there was gender balance. The same patients were re-interviewed in the second interview after two years. It sort to know or identify what the participants had learnt on decision making concerning self-care and on the elements of interventions that were most appropriate and helpful besides the ones that they would wish to change. The researcher administered the interviews at the university. Some were carried out in the patient’s home. The expenses incurred in traveling to meet these patients were cleared by the university. Some of the information was tape-recorded though with the permission from the interviewee. In general, these two designs were appropriate since they suited the type of the research. The research was descriptive. Therefore, enough information was gathered for the target audience.
Summary of Findings
In any research, findings form an essential component that makes the research a success or a failure. They are important to both the researcher and the target audience and even to other stakeholders. In this case, findings are important to the two researchers because they will help them to widen their scope of knowledge in the area besides helping the patients who were interviewed to adapt good behaviors in order to enhance their health. Stakeholders such as health practitioners and the government are also important and crucial components because they will be affected by the information in one way or another. In this study, it was revealed that approximately 90 percent of the patients or interviewees had confidence in their inputs of keeping their blood sugar controlled. They had recorded high levels of perceived empowerment. Furthermore, most of the respondents recorded improved levels of competence in translation of knowledge into practice. Furthermore, there were some “changes in the depth of diabetes knowledge and confidence from one specific area to general knowledge” (Long & Tina, 2011, p. 269). Participants in this research had a median age of 67 years. They had experienced or suffered from diabetes for a median of six and a half years. Among the total respondents, two fifth were women. Suffering from diabetes among the participants did not depend on differences in gender, age or length of time.
On sustainability, knowledge, confidence, and empowerment issues, most of the participants said that they undertook the advice they were given by tele-carers. Therefore, they felt knowledgeable about diabetes in general and how it affected them. For instance, 99 percent had gained knowledge, 97 percent felt that they were knowledgeable about issues to do with diabetes, and 96 percent consented that they were in total control of their diabetes (Long & Tina, 2011, p. 271). Most of the respondents were keen on their blood sugar in their body. Therefore, they vowed to ensure that the level was maintained to the required levels to allow them live well and enjoy their different lifestyles. There were high scores on the participants’ self-perceptions on empowerment. They felt that the training made them know themselves better. Therefore, they were empowered thus looking upon themselves as conquerors and not losers. When it comes to relationship with the tele-carers, most respondents were satisfied with the kind of treatments they were provided. The relationship was mutual. Friendliness was evidenced through their conversations and interactions. The respondents were contended with the way they were treated. They were engaged in decision making and support, which made them feel appreciated and valued. For instance, the conversations were based on respect as the carers respected the time of their patients thus adjusting appropriately to their programs. They also listened keenly besides allowing them an opportunity to ask questions and or seek clarification on various aspects that they did not understand better.
The findings on the changes on the nature of behavioral and health literacy revealed that most of the patients changed their attitude and behavior when they were spoken to by the tele-carers. They were very much elevated after having been equipped with skills and knowledge that made their lives better. They learned various issues concerning health. This knowledge uplifted their life more. Most of the respondents had changed their specific self-behaviors across some of their lifestyles. They took upon their own initiatives in ensuring that they remained in good health standards by always checking their blood glucose levels, doing exercises, seeking mediation, and self-managing their diets. They therefore understood their illness and knew how to take good care of themselves. Self agency also increased among the participant as they were motivated and more confident about measures to control their illness, as well as how to prevent any complications from happening besides knowing where to get immediate health care when in need.
Conclusion and Personal Reflection
It is imperative that researchers addressing possible knowledge deficits to tailor their context-driven advice by making it relevant to the socio-economic status of the participants. In this study, even though participants were selected based on the level of blood sugar control, they had different levels of knowledge about diabetes. However, after the training, they learned and appreciated new skills and knowledge, which made them change their attitude and behaviors. The training enabled them develop personal skills that made them have self-agency and self-control hence undertaking upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining their health. Therefore, patients are very crucial in managing the translation of knowledge. They should be willing to change their behaviors. Therefore, there is still need for more research to be conducted on youths and younger generations to find out how they would respond to such trainings. This group of audience may also suffer from type 2 diabetes. Therefore, salient measures should be done to find out the prevalent, the behavior change, and the literacy level for amicable solution. The research has successfully managed to elicit various findings that are very important in the future researchers. Therefore, such information and findings can be relied upon in the future by other researchers interested in the areas of study.
Reference
Long, A., & Tina, G. (2011). Enhancing health literacy and behavioral change within a tele-care education and support intervention for people with type 2 diabetes. London: Blackwell Publishing Ltd Health Expectations.