Dragonfly

Identify the socioemotional skills, interoception and health literacy in caregivers and patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes in a hospital in the city of Bogotá, Colombia.

This study used qualitative methods to identify socioemotional, interoceptive, and health literacy needs. We collected data through the corpographies, and focus groups with stimulus questions. It was performed a thematic analysis of the information based on the methodological proposal of Braun and Clarke (2006). The ethics committee of Kennedy Hospital approved the project.

Between March and June 2024, it was conducted 5 focus groups with 36 participants. The information corresponds to the exploration of the conception, imaginaries, and perceptions about the care practices performed by the patients. Data analysis revealed four themes: (1) complementary care actions; (2) perception of the disease in their body, emotions, and life; (3) tunnel vision: patient and caregiver concerns about the disease; (4) daily experiences in the care process.  The main socioemotional and health literacy needs found are related to the patients' difficulty in naming the emotions associated with the disease and the intermittent support and care network. The practice of self-care habits is evident, particularly linked to taking medications, eating, and performing daily physical activities. They report experiencing emotions in different parts of the body, especially in the chest, heart, stomach, face, and hands.

Health care decisions for patients and caregivers with hypertension and diabetes require a comprehensive approach that considers self-perception, experiences in the health care system, and strategies for understanding the disease, along with a social support network that provides support and assistance. Health literacy affects daily life and life experiences; it does not stand as a separate issue from the care and management of chronic disease.

Knowing the socioemotional, interoceptive and health literacy skills of patients will allow the design of an emotional education program to improve their self-care, adherence and health outcomes in the management of chronic diseases.