24-LB: Using Q-Methodology to Inform Personalized Diabetes Education for Koreans with Type 2 Diabetes on Insulin Therapy

Background: This study classified the profiles of Koreans with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on insulin therapy regarding their perceptions and self-management behaviors in order to inform personalized diabetes education. Methods: Q-methodology, a semi-qualitative methodology and semi-quantitative technique, was used. Six steps of Q-methodology included: (1) development of Q-population, representative viewpoint statements on diabetes, (2) Q-sample, final statements selected from Q-population, (3) P-sample (Q-sorter) selection, (4) Q sorting, (5) factor analysis, (6) factor extraction. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activity measure and A1C in the past 6 months were used to examine self-care behaviors in each Q-sorter. Of 160 statements, 33 Q-samples were selected. Then, 37-P-samples (24 men; 13 women; 30 to 80 years old) were recruited from a university-affiliated diabetes clinic in South Korea. Q-sorts were analyzed using the PQ method. Varimax rotation revealed five factors while 8 P-samples fell into the confounding factor (loaded on more than one factor); 2 P-samples were non-significant. Findings: A total of 40.0% variance was explained with 5 factors: Factor 1(n=6): those showing education need with inadequate health literacy (age=59.1±18.9; A1C=7.89±0.53), Factor 2 (n=4): those trying to control diabetes with lifestyle (age= 62.8±8.4; A1C=7.94±2.12 ), Factor 3 (n=5): those controlling diabetes with medical treatment (age=58.0±12.6; A1C=7.74±1.27), Factor 4 (n=6): those not afraid of uncontrolled diabetes due to insufficient diabetes knowledge (age= 65.7±9.9; A1C= 8.06 ±1.27) and Factor 5(n=6): those who overestimated their knowledge and capability to control diabetes (age= 57.0±10.2; A1C=8.20±1.47). Conclusions: Educational intervention for Koreans with T2D on insulin therapy should be designed depending on patients’ characteristics (knowledge, health literacy, behaviors, emotions) to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. Disclosure E. Cha: None. M. Shin: None. M. J. Smart: None. H. Jang: None. J. Lee: None. K. Joung: None. H. Kim: None. M. S. Faulkner: None. Funding National Research Foundation of Korea (2019R1A2C108719912 to E.S.)