Aims:To identify the behaviour changes, as well as perceived drivers of behaviour change, in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) following attendance at a hospital-based group education session incorporating information from a dietitian, physiotherapist and credentialed diabetes educator. To determine the components of the session which are the most critical for positive behaviour change.
Methods:Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with women diagnosed with GDM who have attended a group education session at the Royal Women’s Hospital. Open-ended interview questions were used to assess participants’ experience of the session focusing on each discipline involved; dietetics, physiotherapy and diabetes education. Participants were purposively recruited for the study until data saturation was achieved. Data was thematically analysed using an inductive approach.
Results:Sixteen women completed the study. All reported making dietary changes since their group education session. These changes focussed on the quality and quantity of carbohydrate foods. 81% of participants (n=13) reported increasing their physical activity levels; those that did not were already active (n=2) or pain was preventing them from being active (n=1). Regular walking (50%, n=8) was the most common exercise implemented. 94% of women (n=15) believed that testing and seeing their blood glucose levels made it easier to make changes to their diet and exercise. The main motivators for making and maintaining these changes included: the health and size of the baby (87%, n=14), and decreasing the risk of developing diabetes in the future (62%, n=10). Participants’ opinions differed on the most useful aspects of the session.
Conclusions: The group education session effectively supported participants to make changes to their diet and physical activity levels. Short and long-term health outcomes for mother and offspring were leading drivers of behaviour change. Determining the components that were most critical for positive behaviour change was not possible due to variation in individual needs and will be investigated in future research.