Primary care visit preparation and communication for patients with poorly controlled diabetes: A qualitative study of patients and physicians.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how patients with diabetes and their primary care physicians identify and discuss visit priorities prior to and during visits.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study involving patients with diabetes (4 focus groups, n=29) and primary care physicians (6 provider practice meeting discussions, n=67).

Results: Four key themes related to prioritization were identified: 1) the value of identifying visit priorities before the visit; 2) challenges to negotiating priorities during the time-limited visit; 3) the importance of "non-medical" priorities; and 4) the need for strategies to help patients prepare for visits.