TY - JOUR T1 - Perceptions of healthcare professionals and people with type 2 diabetes on emotional support: a qualitative study JF - BJGP Open JO - BJGP Open DO - 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101018 SP - bjgpopen20X101018 AU - Michelle Hadjiconstantinou AU - Alison J Dunkley AU - Helen Eborall AU - Noelle Robertson AU - Kamlesh Khunti AU - Melanie Davies Y1 - 2020/03/18 UR - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2020/03/16/bjgpopen20X101018.abstract N2 - Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a demanding condition that impacts the person living with the condition physically and psychologically. Promoting emotional support is a key strategy to improve diabetes care.Aim To explore the views and experiences of people with T2DM and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on emotional support in diabetes care, and identify barriers and facilitators to the provision of emotional support in clinical practice.Design & setting A qualitative study in England with data collected from four focus groups.Method Focus group discussions were conducted with people with T2DM (n = 10) and HCPs (n = 10). The analysis was informed by the framework method and principles of the constant comparative approach.Results Emotional support was lacking in diabetes primary care, and there was a need to normalise the emotional impact of T2DM. Barriers to emotional support included: lack of HCP confidence to discuss emotional issues; lack of counselling training; and time constraints in consultations. Inappropriate use of the word ‘depression’ creates a sense of taboo for those experiencing emotions other than depression.Conclusion Consensus between the two target groups indicated a strong need to integrate emotional support in diabetes care, and the need to support and train HCPs in addressing psychosocial aspects of T2DM. Shared language is recommended across diabetes services to appropriately refer to wellbeing. Addressing barriers and considering ways to incorporate emotional management in diabetes consultations is recommended, includings introducing HCP training to increase confidence and enhance counselling skills. ER -