Will People with Type 2 Diabetes Speak to Family Members about Health Risk?
- David L Whitford, MD (dwhitford{at}rcsi-mub.com)(1),
- Hannah McGee, PhD(2) and
- Bernadette O'Sullivan, PhD(2)
- 1.) Department of Family Medicine, RCSI – Medical University of Bahrain.
- 2.) Department of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the potential for communication of familial risk by patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research Design and Methods: A questionnaire was completed by a random sample of patients with type 2 diabetes registered with a hospital diabetes clinic.
Results: Two-thirds (65%) had spoken to at least one sibling or child about diabetes risk. They were more likely to believe their family was at risk; more likely to worry about their family developing diabetes; and more likely to be aware of the seriousness of diabetes. Results revealed greater awareness of family risk of type 2 diabetes compared with previous studies.
Conclusions: Many patients with type 2 diabetes had already taken the initiative, without formal prompting, to talk to family members about their risk of diabetes. Discussion of risk and interventions to reduce risk should be encouraged within families.
Footnotes
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- Received July 1, 2008.
- Accepted November 5, 2008.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
