Using Photo-Elicitation Interviewing on Family-Based Intervention Experiences Among Informal Caregivers and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Changes to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (t2dm), which are being developed, aim to meet the demands on the level of health and increase daily diabetes self-care management activities in family-based intervention which is increasingly challenging. Disharmony over the quality of life, conflict of experience and family roles that are still unclear have been used as contributing factors. Photo elicitation interviewing (PEI) is a method that combines photos and interviews, has gained traction in the exploration of family-based intervention experiences, and there is also a need for analysis to develop more effective health programs. The main objective of this study was to use the PEI method to explore family-based intervention experiences involving informal caregivers and t2dm patients in Malaysia. Qualitative phenomenological sampling involved eight families consisting of informal caregivers (n=8) and t2dm patients (n=8) aged 20–60 years as purposive sampling. Interview content was compiled and coded using Excel spreadsheets and ATLAS.ti V9 software to perform thematic analysis. Six main themes have emerged: (1) mixed reaction to insulin injection, (2) education transformation, (3) self-efficacy to self-care behavior, (4) efforts in family-based t2dm management, (5) treatment needs, and (6) perception to t2dm diagnosis. The respondents have responded positively to using photos to support in-depth discussions. This method has successfully revealed aspects of the occurrence of a conflict that becomes a burden to the daily management of diabetes between them. This observation shows that PEI has the potential for acceptability and feasibility to form an intervention module, and further evaluation is very appropriate for the module design and development phase and the quantitative study phase.