Determining approaches of diabetes team members to assess fear of hypoglycemia in individuals with diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study
Aslı Tok Özen, Şeyda ÖzcanBackground
Fear of hypoglycemia is a key psychological barrier that healthcare professionals must systematically assess and examine.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to determine the approaches of healthcare professionals working with individuals with diabetes mellitus to assess their fear of hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia frequency, and hypoglycemia unawareness as well as their recommendations on implementation of clinical management strategies.
Design
The study was conducted with descriptive and cross-sectional design.
Methods
The sample consisted of 118 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, and dietitians). Data were collected through online self-report questionnaires between 8 August and 24 November 2024.
Results
The results of this study revealed that the rate of healthcare professionals assessing fear of hypoglycemia, the hypoglycemia frequency, and unawareness on their patients was high; however, assessment practices largely relied on informal clinical inquiry, while the use of standardized assessment tools was limited. Assessment practices varied significantly according to clinical unit (p<0.05). The rate of providing training/counselling and reassessing patients with high fear of hypoglycemia was high, as well. Healthcare professionals prioritized safety-promoting recommendations. Practices that restricted social life or compromised treatment efficacy—such as reducing insulin or anti-diabetic medications—were rarely adopted.
Conclusion
A patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach is important for evaluating individuals with diabetes mellitus who have fear of hypoglycemia. Healthcare professionals working with this patient group are recommended to possess adequate knowledge and clinical competence in identifying and managing the fear of hypoglycemia by using validated, standardized tools specifically designed to assess fear of hypoglycemia and its associated clinical factors.