Healthcare professionals' experiences in identifying and supporting mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study

• Published in: Diabetic medicine Vol. 40; no. 7; pp. e15103 - n/a
• Main Authors: Benton, Madeleine, Baykoca, Jeni, Ismail, Khalida, Price, Hermione
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Health care; healthcare professionals; Mental disorders; Mental health; Qualitative research; Research design; type 1 diabetes; healthcare professionals; type 1 diabetes; mental health
• ISSN: 0742-3071; 1464-5491
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.15103

Aims To explore perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals in the identification and support provision of mental health problems in adults living with type 1 diabetes. Methods Using a qualitative research design, 15 healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom were individually interviewed using a semi‐structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. Results Four themes were identified relating to barriers: time, knowledge, relationship between services and stigma. Three themes were identified relating to facilitators: education, communication and appropriate tools and services. Conclusions This research emphasises the need for educational tools to improve the skills and competency of healthcare professionals in identifying mental health problems in people with type 1 diabetes, highlighting practical and theoretical implications for healthcare improvements and the necessity for additional research to design care pathways that better support this population, in which all healthcare professionals are aware of.