Perception of Losses Experienced by the Diabetic Patient

Abstract

A person living with diabetes mellitus is conscious that this pathology will not cause its death in the short term, but they face losses and experience grief on multiple occasions along with the chronicity of the disease. In most cases, the partner or close relative also experiences a great impact since they become a family caregiver. The goal of this study was: to analyze the perception of losses experienced by the diabetic patient along with the chronicity of the illness. Method: This was qualitative research, with a phenomenological method under the philosophical view of Husserl and the theoretical support of Kübler-Ross with a descriptive design. Four diabetic patients aged 18 to 75 years old of both genders participated; they asked for hospital attention due to complications of the disease. Selection of participants was by convenience up to reach saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, field notes and observation. The setting of the first contact was in a third-level hospital in Mexico City; the second one was through programmed home visits. These occurred by a chronogram agreed upon by the participants, and a room was selected with conditions of privacy to conduct the interviews; respect was always observed. Participants signed informed consent. Data analysis was according to Miles and Huberman, by means of three tasks: information acquisition, data transcription and codification, and conclusions. Results: After the qualitative analysis four categories emerged, as well as sub-categories, as follows: Category 1: Self-losses perceived by the patient, sub-categories 1.1 Beginning the mourn step: Negation; 1.2 Silent illness that produces severe damage; 1.3 Complicated/chronic mourn. Category 2: Emotions along the disease chronicity, sub-categories 2.1 Negation of emotions/distortion of natural emotions; 2.2 Decisions taken based on feelings. Category 3: Changes in the diabetic patient's nutrition, sub-categories 3.1 Culture: positive reinforcement from childhood; 3.2 Constant mourn; 3.