Goal setting with type 2 diabetes: a hermeneutic analysis of the experiences of diabetes educators.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explicate and interpret common experiences of diabetes educators (DEs) with patient goal setting for patients with type 2 diabetes in diabetes education.

Methods: Transcripts (n = 10) from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to more deeply explore the accounts of DEs' goal setting with patients with type 2 diabetes.

Results: The overarching pattern that emerged was "Striking a Balance," which subsumed 4 subthemes: Applying Theoretical-Practical Principles When Setting Goals, Identifying Idealistic-Realistic Expectations, Creating Patient-Educator-Centered Plans, and Readying-Living With Goal Setting.

Goal setting education and counseling practices of diabetes educators.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify goal setting education practices used by diabetes educators working with type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: Data were collected by a mail questionnaire with 179 diabetes educators purposively selected from the 2008 American Association of Diabetes Educators membership listing.

Results: Many diabetes educators (52%) reported that more than 75% of their patients set goals for diabetes control.