Text message-based intervention to improve treatment adherence among rural patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Adherence to treatment among most type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is relatively poor in rural China. The present study aimed to explore the perspectives of rural T2DM patients and health workers on a text message-based intervention (TMI) for increasing patients' adherence in rural China. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative study. METHODS: Six focus group discussions with T2DM patients, six with village doctors, and three with public health physicians were conducted in Xianning city during 2015. Semistructured interview guides were employed to facilitate qualitative data collection. Audio recordings of the sessions were transcribed verbatim, and theme analysis was performed. RESULTS: Based on the participants' reports, T2DM patients had insufficient knowledge about diabetes and suboptimal adherence to treatment in rural China. Most of the participants had a positive attitude toward this novel TMI approach to improving patients' treatment adherence and knowledge. The perceived potential barriers to the utilization of TMI included poor eyesight and educational background and gradually losing interest during a long-term intervention. The suggestions for successfully implementing this strategy included family or social support, applicability of the text message content, adequate frequency and timing of sending the messages, and combining of messages with other educational formats. CONCLUSION: A TMI is a promising option for improving T2DM patients' adherence to treatment in rural China. The findings of the present study can contribute knowledge to the application of TMI in similar settings.