OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes requires continuous access to medications, monitoring, and structured follow-up to prevent complications. In conflict-affected settings, disruptions in health care systems may compromise the delivery of effective diabetes care. This study explored health care providers’ perspectives on barriers to type 2 diabetes management in a conflict-affected region of Syria. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 physicians and pharmacists working in public and private health care services in Homs, Syria. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurrent barriers affecting diabetes care delivery. RESULTS Four major themes were identified: 1) unaffordable medications and diagnostic testing limiting treatment initiation and continuity; 2) health care delivery constraints, including medication supply instability and workforce limitations, disrupting routine care; 3) restricted health care access for rural patients due to distance, transportation barriers, and insecurity; and 4) gaps in continuity and coordination of diabetes care, including complication monitoring, patient education, and psychosocial support. Providers described frequent treatment modifications driven by financial and supply constraints, with implications for adherence and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Health care providers in this conflict-affected setting report that effective type 2 diabetes care is constrained by affordability, supply disruptions, workforce limitations, and access barriers. Strengthening affordable access to essential medicines and testing, improving structured follow-up for complications, integrating diabetes education, and incorporating basic psychosocial support into routine care may help improve diabetes management in resource-constrained environments.
Shehab et al. (Thu,) studied this question.