Physician Awareness in Diabetes Management During Ramadan 2015—A Focus Group Discussion

Abstract

Background: Diabetic Muslims who wish to fast are recommended to undergo medical counseling prior to fasting to prevent complications. This study assesses knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and identifies issues related to building capacity for physicians treating diabetic patients. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study based on focus group discussions with primary healthcare center (PHCC) doctors who manage diabetic patients in the Riyadh region. Results: There is a lack of knowledge of the classification system for risk assessment of diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan. All the responses showed that there were misconceptions regarding nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue to nullify fasting. Other issues addressed by respondents include the following: how to adjust the dose and subsequently convince the patient to follow a new regimen, loss of patient follow-up due to referral to the hospital, the refusal of some laboratories to perform examinations for patients referred from other PHCCs, and lack of patient medication compliance. Conclusion: The study reported a lack of knowledge among respondents regarding therapeutic and lifestyle management of diabetic patients during Ramadan. Other issues addressed by participants include lack of healthcare services at primary healthcare center facilities and services not working effectively. To empower physicians and improve knowledge, attitude, and practices for managing diabetic patients during Ramadan, experience, continuous training, as well as fully equipped healthcare centers (including both laboratory and pharmaceutical medical supplies) play a crucial role.