Abstract
Millions of people with diabetes must control their blood glucose system through diet, medication, and exercise. To learn how patients understand this daunting task, we conducted Cognitive Task Analysis interviews with 20 participants with type II diabetes. The interviews queried initial education, experiences with self-care, understanding of the disease, and treatment adherence. Participants who showed greater expertise in their articulation of problem detection strategies, functional relationships, and problem solving strategies were more effective self-managers. Several mental models of diabetes self-management were identified. Human Factors advances that have helped pilots control planes, may also help patients to develop functional models of blood glucose control and cope with the complexities of self-care. These advances may also help people facing other chronic medical conditions and complex life challenges.
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