RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Engagement in e-cycling and the self-management of type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study in primary care
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP bjgpopen18X101638
DO 10.3399/bjgpopen18X101638
VO 3
IS 2
A1 Aidan Searle
A1 Emma Ranger
A1 Jez Zahra
A1 Byron Tibbitts
A1 Angie Page
A1 Ashley Cooper
YR 2019
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/3/2/bjgpopen18X101638.abstract
AB Background Physical activity (PA) is important in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), however many people find it difficult to implement and/or sustain in the self-management of the condition. Electrically assisted cycling (e-cycling) may be viewed as a means of self-management in which effort is invested to balance the interplay of lifestyle factors and disease progression.Aim To explore engagement with an e-cycling intervention conducted with adults with T2DM.Design & setting Prospective qualitative interview study with adults in central Bristol (UK) and surrounding suburbs, in the context of the self-management of T2DM in primary care.Method Interviews were conducted with 20 individuals with T2DM (42–70 years, 11 male, 9 female) prior to their participation in a 20-week e-cycling intervention. Post-intervention interviews were conducted with 18 participants (11 male, 7 female). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.Results Participants were aware that PA contributed to the management of their diabetes. Engagement with e-cycling was viewed as both an acceptable and a social lifestyle intervention. Furthermore, participants were unhappy with the volume of medication used to manage their diabetes and e-cycling fostered autonomy in the management of T2DM. GPs and practice nurses were regarded as an important source of reliable information, and were considered to be best placed to talk about interventions to increase PA.Conclusion E-cycling is viewed as an acceptable form of PA to aid the self-management of T2DM. E-cycling may support people with T2DM to reduce their medication intake and in turn foster greater autonomy in managing the condition. The findings have implications for the role of primary care health professionals in supporting both patients and significant others in adoption of e-cycling.