Cognitive behaviour therapy-informed guidelines for type 2 diabetes self-management : a Delphi method study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of cognitive-behavioural therapy-informed guidelines that healthcare professionals can implement to improve self-management of adults with type 2 diabetes. A qualitative design using the Delphi method was employed. This method facilitated two rounds of feedback from a panel of 12 healthcare professionals, enabling collaborative refinement of the guidelines. Four major themes emerged during the first round of feedback: (1) the CBT-informed guidelines are clear and concise, (2) a need for information regarding role clarification, (3) the need to consider the patient’s readiness to change and (4) the consideration that the guidelines may be time-consuming. The second round reiterated the clear, practical nature of the guidelines. The guidelines propose a framework that supports a holistic approach to self-management. The guidelines’ flexibility enables healthcare professionals to adapt them to the diverse needs of individuals with type 2 diabetes.