FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DECISION TO RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY

Educational messages aimed at health professionals have stressed the i mportance of regular eye examinations for people with diabetes and the value of early treatment. To investigate whether the messages need to be expanded or tailored in a specific way, we asked people with diabe tes (N = 37) to describe their reactions to the diagnosis of prolifera tive diabetic retinopathy and the factors that influenced their decisi on to seek treatment. The findings reaffirm the importance of the phsi cian's recommendation in pursuing treatment. Furthermore, a constructi ve response (eg, ''knew it had to be taken care of'') to the diagnosis was associated with prior knowledge of the consequences of proliferat ive diabetic retinopathy. Minimal racial and gender differences were o bserved. White women reported being influenced by the experiences of o thers, and African Americans reported being influenced by the diabetes educator. These findings emphasize the importance of providing patien t education not only following a diagnosis but also in anticipation of probable complications.