Personality and relational determinants of following physicians' instructions in patients with mixed diabetic foot syndrome

Authors:

• Michal Goran Stanišić,
• Teresa Rzepa,
• Magdalena Kucun,
• Lidia Wanda Cierpiałkowska

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of study was to verify of the connection between personality and relational factors, and obeying physicians' orders by the patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). Material and methods: The impact of the following factors was assessed: therapeutic alliance between the physician and the patient, health locus of control, stress coping style, image of one's disease, and demographic data. The study involved thirty (30) type 2 diabetes patients, treated in outpatients clinics, threatened with limb amputation due to the concurrent mixed diabetic foot syndrome. Results: The statistical analysis revealed a correlation between following physicians' instructions and the strength of the therapeutic alliance and the task-oriented stress coping style. Conclusions: The obtained research results may be the basis for any subsequent modification of treatment modalities of the diabetic foot syndrome.