Current practices and future preferences of type 2 diabetes care in Ethiopia: A qualitative study on the perspectives of patients, health professionals, and policymakers

Background and aims: This study aimed to examine perspectives of patients, health professionals, and policymakers on current practices and their future preferences for type 2 diabetes care in a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken through interviews and focus groups with patients, health professionals, and policymakers. The participants were purposively sampled. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Fifty-nine participants were involved in the study. Participants' perspectives on current practices and future preferences comprised three themes: organisation of type 2 diabetes care delivery and infrastructure; continuity of care; and structured diabetes education. The current organisation comprised physicians, such as endocrinologists and endocrinology fellows, and nurses. Some nurses received training on diabetes foot and diabetic eye, which enabled patients to receive diabetes foot and diabetic eye care, respectively. The hospital lacked essential resources, such as medications, laboratory and diagnostic services, and diabetes educators, which hindered patient-centred care. Patients complained that the physical set-up at the hospital was not conducive to their privacy during consultations. Participants reported infrequent patient follow-up and monitoring, which contributed to uncontrolled diabetes. Future preferences involved access to essential resources and comprehensive diabetes care, such as structured diabetes education for improved patient outcomes. Participants sought out the development of tailored and context-specific diabetes management approaches that could meet specific patient needs and preferences. Conclusions: The findings have implications for designing patient-centred diabetes care tailored to the hospital's context and key stakeholders' preferences. This tailoring requires strong leadership to ensure availability of essential resources.