Type 2 Diabetes: Patients Reporting Better Quality of Communication by their Physician Show Improved Self-care

- 'Encouraging' and 'collaborative' physician communication is linked to better patient outcomes

- New IntroDiaâ„¢ Survey patient data are presented at American Diabetes Association'sÂ® (ADA) 75th Scientific Sessions

- IntroDiaâ„¢ is an initiative of Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation

INGELHEIM, Germany and INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., June 9, 2015 (Antara/PRNewswire) -- New research shows that the quality of patient-physician communication, at the moment when additional oral type 2 diabetes (T2D) medication is prescribed ('add-on'), is linked to future patient self-care and well-being.1 Data from the IntroDiaâ„¢ Survey have quantitatively demonstrated this link in the largest international survey of its kind, using responses from 4,235 people with T2D across 26 countries.*1

The perceived quality of the 'add-on' conversation by patients was linked to all self-management outcomes surveyed.1 Patients who recalled better quality of communication when interacting with their physicians reported improved self-care and emotional well-being, including improved diabetes-related emotional distress, frequency of exercise and diet, as well as better medication adherence.1

Dr Matthew Capehorn, UK, GP and member of the IntroDiaâ„¢ Advisory Panel commented, "If not framed properly, the introduction of additional oral medication for type 2 diabetes management can be a challenging moment for patients. An encouraging conversation with a physician can make a real difference to subsequent self-management. We now have data that confirm how important the quality of communication is during this 'add-on' conversation."

Analysis of the conversations indicated patients distinguish three types of physician statements that contribute to communication quality: 'encouraging', 'collaborative' and 'discouraging'.1 When physicians used 'encouraging' and 'collaborative' statements, patients' perception of the communication quality significantly improved.1 Using 'discouraging' statements had the opposite effect.1

'Encouraging' communication included statements such as:

"My doctor explained that the new medication would help to control my diabetes."

"My doctor told me that the new medication would improve my quality of life."

'Collaborative' communication examples were:

"My doctor invited me to ask questions about my new medication."

"My doctor helped to adjust my treatment plan so I could do it in my daily life."

'Discouraging' communication included statements like:

"My doctor told me that my diabetes is out of control."

"My doctor told me that I needed more medication because I had failed to take good enough care of myself."

The analysis also looked into which statements were most frequently recalled by patients from their 'add-on' conversations. 'Encouraging' statements were recalled by up to 85 percent of patients. 'Discouraging' statements were recalled by up to 53 percent of patients.1

"The patient data demonstrate that physicians are already doing a good job, by most often using 'encouraging' and 'collaborative' statements and using 'discouraging' statements less frequently. However, 'add-on' conversations can still be further improved to help patients make the positive behavioural changes required to manage type 2 diabetes," concluded Dr Capehorn.

*4,235 people with T2D, out of the total 10,319 included in the IntroDiaâ„¢ Survey, met the necessary criteria to be asked about 'add-on' moment conversations. All 10,319 survey participants were asked about their early 'diagnosis' conversations.

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Email: Sungjin.kim@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Reference

1. Capehorn M, et al. Physician-patient Communication at Prescription of an Additional Oral Agent for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): Link Between Key Conversation Elements, Physician Empathy and Patient Outcomes -- Insights From the Global IntroDiaâ„¢ Study. Poster 63-LB at the 75th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes AssociationÂ® (ADA) 2015, Boston, USA.