The Mediation Role of Unmet Need in Healthcare Providers’ Support for Diabetes

Objectives: The present study examined the role of unmet social support needs on the relationship between health care providers’ communication efforts and self-efficacy among patients with diabetes. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Patients with diabetes, who were outpatients from an endocrinology department at C University Hospital, participated in a cross-sectional survey. A total 303 patients were enrolled and assessed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses were performed. Findings: Results showed that interpersonal care processes with health care providers was significantly correlated with diabetes self-efficacy. Unmet needs in terms of health care providers’ support was also significantly and negatively correlated with interpersonal care processes and diabetes self-efficacy. SEM results revealed that unmet needs regarding health care providers’ support mediated the relationship between interpersonal care processes and diabetes self-efficacy. Improvements/ Applications: Therefore, diabetes self-efficacy is likely enhanced when interpersonal care processes include adequate communication between providers and patients, which in turn boosts support for patients with diabetes.