Redefining Diabetes Care: Evaluating the Impact of a Carbohydrate-Reduction, Health Coach Approach Model in New Zealand
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Journal Article
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Hindawi Limited
Abstract
This study explores a novel healthcare model employed in the primary care setting integrating a carbohydrate-reduction dietary approach and health coaching for managing prediabetes (PD) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in New Zealand. Using qualitative methods, we conducted focus groups with 46 patients and individual interviews with health coaches and general practitioners across two regions. Five major themes emerged from inductive thematic analysis: reduced carbohydrate lifestyles, health coaching, implementation, empowerment, and sustainability. Patients reported significant health improvements, including weight loss, reduced medication burden, and increased energy. Challenges included resistance from some medical professionals and negative public perceptions. Health coaching played a crucial role in patient care, providing individualised support and enhancing health literacy. The study found that this model both improved patient outcomes and also alleviated the burden on healthcare professionals by managing time-intensive aspects of patient care. Barriers to the adoption of this model include scepticism about low-carbohydrate diets and the need for more education and awareness among healthcare professionals. The findings suggest that this healthcare model has the potential to transform the management of PD and T2D in primary care, shifting patients from lifelong medication dependence to significant health improvements and potential disease remission or reversal.Description
Keywords
carbohydrate reduction, health coaching, health system transformation, lifestyle medicine, prediabetes, primary care, sustainability in healthcare, T2D management, T2D management, carbohydrate reduction, health coaching, health system transformation, lifestyle medicine, prediabetes, primary care, sustainability in healthcare, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical Sciences, Health Disparities, Diabetes, Women's Health, Health Services, Nutrition, Clinical Research, 7.1 Individual care needs, 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services, 7.3 Management and decision making, Metabolic and endocrine, Generic health relevance, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 4 Quality Education, 1116 Medical Physiology, 3202 Clinical sciences
Source
Journal of Diabetes Research, ISSN: 2314-6745 (Print); 2314-6753 (Online), Hindawi Limited, 2024(1), 4843889-. doi: 10.1155/jdr/4843889
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Copyright © 2024 Caryn Zinn et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.