Abstract

Introduction: Living with diabetes needs these individuals to have empowerment, which requires support of health professionals’. Unfortunately, data shows health professionals can often fail to fulfill their professional responsibility in facilitating the empowerment process in people with diabetes. Understanding the patient's initial response to diagnosis of diabetes is the first step to help them to control their illness. The aim of the study was to investigate and comprehens the patient's response to their diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This qualitative research study used in-depth interviews to collect data from 21 participants, selected by purposeful sampling. Data was analysed using constant analysis. Results: Findings showed that the first response of people, on being given a diagnosis of diabetes, included fear of being perceived as different, and of losing control of their body and life, all of which was affected by enhancement of support, and awareness beliefs of the nature of disease. Conclusion: Diagnosis of diabetes is a stressful event for the patient and threatens their identity culturally and socially. Considering the close contact health professionals have with diabetic people, it  would seem that the negative psychological effects  of being diagnosed a diabetic could be ameliorated by increasing awareness and knowledge for both patient and caregivers empowering the former in disease management.