Listening to Older Adults' Values and Preferences for Type 2 Diabetes Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

In Brief Individuals' values and preferences have a considerable impact on their motivation and, therefore, their willingness to follow treatment recommendations. This qualitative study aimed to describe older adults' values and preferences for type 2 diabetes care. Older adults valued an effective physician-patient treatment relationship and quality of life in their diabetes care. They preferred physicians who knew them as a person and were honest about their diabetes treatment and progression of the illness. When developing treatment plans, providers should assess the effect that treatment will likely have on older adults' health, while explicitly acknowledging their values and preferences for care as a prelude to better patient-centered care and potentially shared decision-making.