Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE OF PATIENT COUNSELING IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Poojitha Mandava*, Neelapati Praveenya, Sadhanala Teja Sree, V. Lokesh Reddy

ABSTRACT

The study entitled “Assessment of Importance of Patient Counseling in Improving QOL in Diabetic Patients” was designed to assess the awareness of diabetic patients about their disease and medication adherence and also to assess the impact of patient counseling to improve the QOL of diabetic patients. This study includes a total of 162 subjects out of 207 subjects and the duration of the study is about 6 months. Initially the demographics of the patients were collected along with their past medical history and family history. Using a Standard KAP questionnaire patient‟s knowledge about Diabetes was assessed and patient counseling program was carried out where the patients were counseled both orally and by written forms (leaflets in local language). The study includes both Males (52.4%) and Females (47.5%) and with an age of above 30 yrs were included. After about 30-45 days after the first session follow-up was conducted again by using a Standard KAP questionnaire and the impact of patient counseling was assessed. The results obtained were analysed for its significance by P<0.001 by chi-square test using SPSS Software version 20. Thus by observing the results of Pre-KAP (34% awareness) & Post-KAP (71% awareness) questionnaire it shows that there is a significant difference in patient‟s knowledge and attitude regarding their disease after being counseled. This shows the effectiveness of awareness programme for improving awareness on Diabetes & its Management for improving their QOL among diabetic patients.

Keywords: Patient Counseling, QOL, KAP questionnaire.