%0 Journal Article
%T Patient Perceptions of Current Disease Control in Poorly Controlled Diabetes
%A Anjali Gopalan
%A Haley Moss
%A Yuanyuan Tao
%A Jingsan Zhu
%A Kevin Volpp
%J Health
%P 1964-1971
%@ 1949-5005
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/health.2014.615230
%X Background: Studies suggest that patients do not understand the hemoglobin A1c value (A1c). However, clinicians may communicate information about glycemic control in other ways. Given this, this study evaluates patients¡¯ understanding of current diabetes control, independent of the A1c, and the factors affecting this understanding. Method: Cross-sectional survey of patients with poorly controlled diabetes seen in urban clinics in fall of 2010. Results: 177 people completed the survey. 73.5% were women, 83.0% were African-American and the average age was 56.5 years. 80.2% of respondents reported having had diabetes for at least five years. 39% reported past participation in a diabetes education course. Average A1c was 9.9(S.D. 1.7)%; no differences were noted based on income, education, disease duration, or complication history. 23.7% described their disease control as ¡°good¡± or ¡°excellent¡± in spite of an average A1c of 9.5% (1.2). Notably, most of this group reported diabetes for over five years and did not differ in history of diabetes-related complications or educational attainment compared to those with more accurate perceptions of control. Conclusion: The high proportion of participants who reported ¡°good¡± or ¡°excellent¡± control in spite of mean A1c greater than 9.5% raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current communication methods for patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
%K Diabetes
%K Hemoglobin A1c
%K Patient Education
%K Patient-Provider Communication
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=48705