TY - JOUR
T1 - Gender differences in the selection of an action plan for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
AU - Nuovo, James
AU - Balsbaugh, Thomas
AU - Levich, Bridget
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Objective: To assess differences between women and men in developing an action plan for the management of their type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We chose a convenience sample of the first 153 patients who participated in a four-part educational class focused on the management of type 2DM. The classes are run by a certified diabetes educator and have a specific format. We use a decision wheel to assist in the development of a patient-generated action plan to address a specific health behavior change. For each patient we documented age, gender, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Results: There was a difference in choice of action plan based on gender (p = 0.014). For women the distribution of action plans was exercise 38%, nutrition 22%, medication 20%, no action plan 13%, and monitoring 7%. For men the distribution of action plans was exercise 26%, nutrition 26%, medication 6%, no action plan 26%, and monitoring 16%. Age did not affect the choice of an action plan (p = 0.964); however, patients with a lower HbA1c level chose exercise more frequently (p < 0.002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be gender-based differences affecting the selection of an action plan for patients with type 2 DM. Further research is needed to determine the relative weight of other important factors on the decision for a particular action plan; e.g. sociodemographic factors, stage of readiness to change, and comorbid conditions.
AB - Objective: To assess differences between women and men in developing an action plan for the management of their type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We chose a convenience sample of the first 153 patients who participated in a four-part educational class focused on the management of type 2DM. The classes are run by a certified diabetes educator and have a specific format. We use a decision wheel to assist in the development of a patient-generated action plan to address a specific health behavior change. For each patient we documented age, gender, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Results: There was a difference in choice of action plan based on gender (p = 0.014). For women the distribution of action plans was exercise 38%, nutrition 22%, medication 20%, no action plan 13%, and monitoring 7%. For men the distribution of action plans was exercise 26%, nutrition 26%, medication 6%, no action plan 26%, and monitoring 16%. Age did not affect the choice of an action plan (p = 0.964); however, patients with a lower HbA1c level chose exercise more frequently (p < 0.002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be gender-based differences affecting the selection of an action plan for patients with type 2 DM. Further research is needed to determine the relative weight of other important factors on the decision for a particular action plan; e.g. sociodemographic factors, stage of readiness to change, and comorbid conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77953442589&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77953442589&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2165/11314190
DO - 10.2165/11314190
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77953442589
VL - 2
SP - 203
EP - 208
JO - Patient
JF - Patient
SN - 1178-1653
IS - 3
ER -