Focus Group Study Assessing Self-management Skills of Chinese Americans with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Despite a rapid growth of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese Americans, the management of diabetes in this population is
yet understudied. This pilot study attempts a first step in seeking solutions to decrease demand for health services in this
population by improving patients’ self-care. Focus groups were conducted in well-controlled (HbA1c < 7) and poorly-controlled
(HbA1c > 8) Chinese Americans with Type 2 DM who were asked about their knowledge and self-care skills of diabetes as well
as experience of living with the disease. Well-controlled had more insights in their illness and were more inquisitive, while
poorly-controlled were more fixated on symptoms and side effects of treatments. Common themes for both groups included interest
in diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The findings provide valuable information to design a survey instrument to more
definitively assess self-care skills differentiating levels of control, suggest that changing attitudes and behaviors need
to be a stronger focus in care and identify needs to provide more culturally appropriate materials to care for this population.