Piecing it together: Advancing person-centered care for type 2 diabetes

Many treatment options are available for type 2 diabetes, which can make it difficult for patients and healthcare professionals to choose the most suitable option. What works well for one person may not work for another. Shared decision-making is an approach that supports person-centered care by encouraging patients and healthcare professionals to make treatment decisions together that align with patients’ needs and preferences. This thesis aimed to advance person-centered care for people with type 2 diabetes. This thesis showed that patients want to talk not only about the biological effects of a treatment, but also about the broader impact on quality of life. Based on these insights, a shared decision-making program was developed together with patients, patient organizations, and healthcare professionals. The program consists of training for healthcare professionals, a patient decision aid, and a preparatory consultation for patients. Testing the program in primary care showed that it could be valuable in supporting shared decision-making, but also revealed barriers, such as high workload and limited time, to implementing the program in routine care.