Empowerment Technique for Self-Management of Diabetes Patients in Accordance with the Community Life Style - เทคนิคการเสริมพลังในการจัดการตนเองของ ผู้ป่วยเบาหวาน ที่สอดคล้องกับวิถีชุมชน

Abstract

The objective of this study was to apply a technique for empowering patients to manage their
own appropriate process in accordance with the community lifestyle using Gibson’s empowerment
concept. The samples were 84 patients with diabetes regularly attending Koaprabat Health Promotion
Hospital, Chian Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province since 2012. The research was conducted
during June 2012 to June 2013. An empowerment plan was introduced through (1) recognition by self
analysis and joint formulation of self care practice, (2) self-awareness and values with behavior modification
plan, (3) continuous self-development according to the plan, (4) development of commitment
to self-care and experience sharing, and (5) drawing lessons to verify the results of self development.
Documentation tools included set of knowledge on diabetes and health pratice behaviours at the reliability
of 0.72 and 0.82. Data collected included lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c; and
were analyzed by using percentage, mean and the paired t-test. It was found that after participating in
the program, the means of knowledge and self-management behaviors scores, lipid profile, FBS and
HbA1c of the samples were significantly better (p<0.05). Empowerment technique was able to enhance
learning, recognition and awareness; and resulted in behavioral changes. The samples were able to
manage themselves so as to effectively control blood glucose level. Moreover, through the experience
sharing process the samples had adjusted themselves to the community lifestyle such as consumption of
rice available in the community, growing vegetables for consumption, planting and using fresh medicinal
herbs, performing exercise, using left-over material for stretching muscles, praying to reduce stress,
and adapting to health life. One clear lesson identified in this study was that facilitators or caregivers
should change their attitude to be positive and use of “euphemistic speech” in talking, caring, and
changing of attitude and behaviors. This empowerment technique can be applied for healthcare in all age
groups because it is in line with community lifestyle and meets the needs for problem solving and match
the awareness on their problems.
Key words: elderly living alone, rural areas, self care behaviors