“Working Hard With It”

The specific aims of this study were to describe the experience of self-managing type 2 diabetes among rural dwelling African Americans, to identify facilitators and barriers to self-management, to describe the use of prescribed and alternative therapies, and to elicit recommendations for programs of diabetes care. Ten focus groups were held in 3 rural communities. Men and women were in separate groups with facilitators matched by race and gender. Seventy-three participants attended the focus groups to discuss the management of diabetes. Group sessions were tape-recorded and transcribed; field notes were also taken. Data were analyzed using Folio Views software and were reviewed by the multidisciplinary team. Results indicate both unique and common themes from this population.