Abstract:
Communication process and efficiency in diabetes education center of Rajavithi Hospital to improve self care were studied by using qualitative, narrative research. The research aims to investigate the communication process, and its contributing factors, knowledge and satisfaction of patients after being educated at the center, along with threat or opportunity factors. Subjects selected using purposive sampling method. Data were collected and analyzed by means of participative observation and depth-interview to physicians, nurses and diabetes patients. Findings revealed that communication senders consist of eight physicians and one nurse are from 4 groups: Diabetes patients referred from general physician, in patient ward, diabetes clinic, and the general public. The diabetes clinic communicated mainly with women aging over 50 years old. The content is about general knowledge in diabetes and self care. The nurse regularly teaches and asks questions so that the patients could verify their understanding. The diabetes education center provides posters, printed materials and teaching aids among which the researcher found some errors in printing and unattractive content. The physicians communicate with the new patients and old patients differently due to different level of knowledge regarding self care in new diabetes. The physicians repeatedly mention to the patients about diabetes and self care procedures to promote their memory. They even encourage family and relatives to take part in patient self care, enhance group therapy with the patients who had experience in self care and even refer patient diabetes to the diabetes education center. The researcher found that the factors that inhibit self-disclosure between the physician and patient 1) physician and patients relationship, 2) Physician influential relationship, and 3) communication technique of physician, nurse and individual patients. The knowledge that the patients received from the education center consist of the exercising and self-care in critical period. Patients who have participated in the diabetes education more often will understand diabetes and self-care more than those who attended only once. The patients are satisfied with the program, techniques and teaching aids including teaching environment. The researcher found that some patients are dissatisfied with the time duration and narrow space in the center.