An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study of Diabetes self-management in Blind Americans.
Nazanin Heydarian, Allyson S Hughes, Osvaldo F Morera
PMID 34053395WHAT IT FOUND
Blind adults with diabetes described barriers in glucose checks, diet, medication, and accessible devices.
Many reported low distress in some areas, but distress from having both conditions was linked to poorer perceived health.
Key findings
01Most participants reported difficulty checking blood glucose, or not checking as often as needed because of supply access.
02Thirty percent said healthcare providers lacked knowledge about diabetes and blindness together.
03Thirty-six percent reported distress from both blindness and diabetes, and it was linked to poorer perceived health.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Thirty-three participants were mostly White and female, and the study used a convenience sample, so the findings may not apply to other groups. Participants were recruited from blind community lists and social media and chose to continue after a larger study, so they may have faced more barriers than other blind adults with diabetes. The study was descriptive and exploratory, with no intervention tested, so it cannot show that accessible devices or diabetes education reduce distress. Health history, distress, and self-management behaviors were self-reported, and objective measures of diet, sleep, medication, or fitness were not used. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were not fully separated in the discussion of self-management experiences, although the authors note these groups may differ. The survey measured experiences and distress at one time, so associations cannot show cause.
Declared interests
The article text does not provide an author conflict-of-interest statement. The supplied publication types list research support from the U.S. government (non-PHS), NIH extramural, and non-U.S. government sources.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that accessible devices or disability-competent diabetes education were shown to reduce distress. The study describes experiences and associations in a small convenience sample, not tested interventions.