Latent classes of learners in people with type 2 diabetes, stratified by educational status : a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: Research suggests that people with type 2 diabetes (PWT2D) exhibit different approaches to learning about disease-management. This study’s aims to identify distinct learner groups among PWT2D and stratify them by educational status (ES). Methods: Cross-sectional data from 227 PWT2D, collected through 46 Likert-scale questions on learning behaviors, preferences, and attitudes, were analyzed using latent class analysis, to identify learner groups. Participants were recruited via healthcare practices in central Germany and a countrywide online survey. Group membership was displayed according to low, medium, and high ES, defined by years of schooling. Results: Four learner groups were identified: casual, versatile, insecure, and theorist learners. Insecure learners accounted for almost half of all respondents in the low ES group (46 %), casual learners were most prevalent among PWT2D with a medium (27 %), versatile (34 %) and theorist (29 %) learners among those with a high ES. Conclusion: This study sheds light on learner groups among PWT2D, which differ by ES, suggesting social disparities in diabetes care. Further research is needed to validate these findings. Practice Implications: Understanding individual learning preferences and motivations is crucial for developing effective diabetes self-management trainings, which may involve providing additional background material for theorists and practical applications for insecure learners.