Patients' Experiences with and Perceptions of Personalized Glycemic Targets: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Purpose

Clinical practice guidelines for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) recommend setting personalized glycemic targets for each patient based on factors such as diabetes duration, life expectancy, comorbidities, complications, and risk of hypoglycemia. This strategy aims to find a balance between the adverse effects of treatment linked to aggressive glycemic control, particularly hypoglycemia, and the potential long-term benefits, such as preventing coronary artery disease. However, there is limited research on patients' experiences with and perceptions of personalized glycemic targets. To address this gap, we sought to explore the experiences, perceptions, concerns, and preferences of individuals living with T2D regarding personalized glycemic targets. . Patients and methods: We used purposive sampling to recruit 25 adults who had been living with T2D for at least one year, from various healthcare settings, public libraries, and social media in Nova Scotia. From July to December 2024, we conducted semi-structured interviews (in-person or via Microsoft Teams), with durations ranging from 20 to 85 minutes. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach to uncover themes.