GPs' views on how low socioeconomic position affects diabetes management: an exploratory study

Abstract

Little is known about general practitioners? (GP) capacity to effectively manage diabetes among patients of low socioeconomic position (SEP), despite the high burden of type 2 diabetes in this group. Nine GPs involved in a diabetes program and practising in an area of socioeconomic disadvantage participated in a focus group on low-SEP patient barriers to diabetes management, GP problems in managing diabetes among this group, and strategies for improving diabetes management with low-SEP patients. GPs perceived that low health literacy, poverty and psychosocial issues, and negative attitudes towards health were barriers to diabetes management among low-SEP patients. Difficulties in providing care to low-SEP patients were related to the availability of allied health services and GP perceptions of increased stress in providing care to this group. Suggestions for improvements in diabetes management were focussed on providing educational materials to low-SEP patients that matched literacy levels, and initiating patient financial incentive schemes to assist diabetes management and attendance at follow-up consultations.