Using focus groups to develop a culturally competent diabetes self-management program for Mexican Americans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe factors that facilitate or hinder diabetes self-management and elicit participants' preferences and recommendations about the essential components of a culturally competent diabetes self-management program. METHODS: Latino patients with type 2 diabetes and their family caregivers were interviewed in focus groups. Four focus groups consisted of patients, and 2 groups consisted of family caregivers for a total of 40 participants. Participants were assigned to groups based on break characteristics of gender and preferred language. RESULTS: "Being in the dark" emerged as an important concern, and patient respondents wanted timely access to information that they deemed understandable about how to manage their diabetes. Family members' support and understanding were crucial in maintaining lifestyle changes. Patient and family caregiver participants wanted a self-management program to incorporate information on how to modify traditional foods, home remedies, and stress management. Preferences for information delivery included group didactic and interactive sessions, written information, and videotapes. Higher technology strategies using computers were not seen as useful. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally competent diabetes self-management for Latinos should incorporate the family and include techniques for stress management as well as diet modification. Information delivery should include a variety of techniques.