Changing the Approach of Diabetes Care Centers: Stepping Out of the Diabetes-Related Stigma

Diabetes-related social stigma is a common phenomenon in many countries associated with several negative effects. This qualitative study explored some strategies to overcome diabetes-related stigma in diabetes-care centers.

This qualitative study was conducted based on the content analysis design in Isfahan in 2012-2014. A number of 74 volunteers were selected via purposive sampling from the medical staff, community members, and diabetic individuals. The needed data were selected using 27 semistructured in-depth interviews, 10 group discussions, email, Short Message Service (SMS), and telephone interviews. Data analysis was performed using an inductive content analysis approach.

Two main categories were emerged from data analysis, including "change in medical staff chr('39')s care approach " and "change in the policies of diabetes centers". Healthcare staff need to "change their care approach" which can be achieved through the sub-categories of "changing the treatment staff approach from disease-centered to person-centered", "updating the treatment staff information" and "changing the treatment staff approach to the education of diabetic patients". Changes in system policies should also be considered under the categories of "accelerating the activities of diabetes centers" and "improving the environment of diabetes centers".

The emerged strategies demonstrated that"change in medical staff chr('39')s care approach " and "change in the policies of diabetes centers"  can help people with diabetes to do not feel lonely, different, and worthless (two determines in developing and strengthening of social stigma). Organizational-level solutions proposed in the present study are relatively novel solutions not only in the field of diabetes but also in comparison with other stigmatized situations.