Development of communication skills training in Diabetes care for general practitioners in China

Yao, Mi (2022). Development of communication skills training in Diabetes care for general practitioners in China. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Background
China has more ascertained cases of diabetes than any other country. Much of the care of people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in China is being managed by general practitioners (GPs), and this will increase with the implementation of health care reforms over the next ten years. Such a shift of chronic disease management into primary care will need to be supported by new training systems for the existing workforce and for a very large number of new entrants. Diabetes care requires effective communication between physicians and patients, yet little is known about this area and how it might relate to training needs in Chinese primary care.
Aim and objectives
To develop an evidence-based communication skills training program in diabetes care for general practitioners in China.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted in finding existing evidence in communication skills training in diabetes care worldwide. Two focus group studies were conducted with GPs and diabetes patients in Guangzhou City, China. Data from the above studies were combined to inform potential communication skills components for training. A nominal group technique (NGT) with GPs was used to identify the most important and feasible communication skills training components for Chinese GPs in diabetes care.
Results
Key ingredients for successful communication training for diabetes care were found in the systematic review. 4 focus groups with 15 GPs and 5 groups with 22 diabetes patients were involved. Chinese GPs faced challenges in communication with diabetes patients. People with type 2 diabetes require more access to trustworthy diabetes information and wish for better channels of communication with their GPs. 60 GPs participated in 8 NGT groups. Priorities of diabetes communication skills in training GPs were identified: health education in clinical encounters, discussion of blood glucose monitoring and explanation, diabetes complications and cardiovascular disease risk communication.
Conclusions
Communication skills training priorities for Chinese GPs in diabetes care were identified. With the changes in communication quality and the delivery of diabetes care in primary care in China, significantly improved outcomes should be seen for the whole diabetes population in the long term.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):