Health Literacy and Type 2 Diabetes in Barbados

In this qualitative instrumental single case study, I explored how patients living with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Barbados manage the disease and what role health literacy might play. Purposeful sampling aided in selecting the sample for the study. The sample was 23 participants who were 40 years and older, diagnosed with T2D, living in Barbados, and attending the Endocrine Center for treatment. Participants responded to 13 open ended questions used to answer the research questions. Information was coded using NVivo 10 software and the software provided the themes based on the participants’ responses to the interview questions. The themes provided were understanding T2D, lifestyle changes made post diagnosis, self-care after T2D, and support systems. The interpretation of the findings was that patients in Barbados had a moderate understanding on how to manage T2D and managed the disease with moderate effectiveness. The findings also revealed that health literacy might have a meaningful impact on how to manage T2D, but other factors might be involved. Recommended strategies are to improve communication between patient and providers and to provide initiatives to improve patients’ self-efficacy. The findings might provide health care leaders and policy makers with insight on how patients living in Barbados with T2D manage the disease and the role that health literacy might play.