Fei-Ling Wu
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
Title: The effectiveness of problem-solving training program on problem- solving ability and disease control for diabetics with Hypoglycemia
Biography
Biography: Fei-Ling Wu
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study is to develop the problem-solving training program based on the theories of social problem solving and to evaluate the longitudinal effects on problem-solving orientation, problem-solving ability, emotional adaptation and glycated hemoglobin for diabetics with hypoglycemia.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental study design. Sixty-two people with type 2 diabetes from the metabolic clinics of medical center and regional hospitals in northern Taiwan were convenience sampling divided into an experimental and control group of thirty and thirty-two participants, respectively. Both groups were assessed at four separate times periods, including the pre-test, post-test 1 (1rd month), post-test 2 (3th month) and post-test 3 (6th month). The experimental group received a 12-week problem-solving training program, which included: problem-solving brochure education, problem-solving skills guidance, teaching blood glucose self-monitoring and 6-12 phone call follow ups (of 10-20 minutes each). The control group received a self-regulation manual only. Hypoglycemia Problem Solving Scale, Disease-Associated Negative Mood Scale and HbA1c were used in this study to measure differences between pre- and posttest values. The statistical analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, one-way ANOVA, pair-t test and repeated-measures two-way ANOVA.
Results: The result showed that problem-solving ability; emotional adaptation and glycated hemoglobin scores were significantly improved by after the problem-solving training program group intervention. On the 3th month after intervention, we found a significant difference between the two groups in terms of problem-solving ability and HbA1c.
Conclusion: Applying problem-solving skills, patients take initiative to identify and seek possible strategies to solve their problems, alleviate diabetic issues and achieving self-management.