The Influence of Patient and Provider Communication on Diabetes Care Delivery.

PURPOSE: To elicit the perspective of patients with type 2 diabetes, specific to communication with providers and health care teams.

METHODS: We conducted 21 focus groups with 115 adults in Midwestern primary care, endocrinology, and bariatric surgery clinics. Facilitators analyzed the transcripts using an iterative coding method.

RESULTS: The themes of encouragement and motivation, relationship building, compassion, and communication preferences highlighted effective strategies consistent with the core components of patient-centered care.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients and providers benefit from systems in which patients are efficiently and compassionately supported in self-management within their abilities and in partnership with their support networks.