Aims and objectives: To compare the levels of self-care behaviour, social support and quality of life among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who underwent three regimens: taking medicine, taking-medicine-while dieting and taking-medicine-while-dieting-with exercise.
Background: Diabetes treatment is a critical concern worldwide. However, studies on self-care behaviour, social support and quality of life based on diabetes patients' diverse regimens are few.
Design: This study was a cross-sectional design.
Methods: We enrolled 127 outpatients aged over 40 years who visited a metabolism clinic at a medical centre in Southern Taiwan. The Self-care Behaviour Scale, Social Support Scale and Quality of Life Scale were used to collect data.
Results: The results indicated that patients with a combined regimen of taking-medicine-while-dieting-with-regular exercise had the highest score at the levels of social support, self-care behaviour and quality of life.
Conclusion: The study results could offer evidence-based knowledge for healthcare professionals to guide and promote social support, self-care behaviour and quality of life for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Relevance to clinical practice: These findings will help healthcare professionals to establish appropriate nursing strategies for type 2 diabetes patients who need to exercise regularly as part of their daily care to enhance their self-care behaviour, social support and quality of life.
© 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.