Predictive Factors of Self-care Behaviors in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Based on the Information Therapy Model

Background: Information therapy is transforming healthcare by prioritizing patient-centered care, thus emphasizing the delivery of relevant information to empower individuals in managing their health. In this regard, this study aimed to design an information therapy model and determine the predictive factors of self-care behaviors in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study involved 253 elderly diabetic patients referring to healthcare centers, internal medicine offices, and specialized diabetes clinics in Hamadan in 2024. The required data were gathered using a closed questionnaire and then analyzed with SPSS 22 software through independent t-tests. Finally, AMOS 24 was utilized to measure model fit. Results: Participants had an average age of 69 years, with a majority being male and holding high school diplomas. Physicians and health professionals accounted for the highest rate of referrals and users at 92.8%, followed by traditional media at 82.2%. The findings confirmed that patients who sought information from healthcare staff, peers, and families had higher knowledge scores compared to those who did not. Moreover, traditional media users demonstrated increased knowledge levels (P<0.05). Path analysis revealed that social networks (coefficient=0.11) and digital media (0.22) significantly impacted knowledge, thus affecting attitudes toward self-care behaviors (0.45). Then, the attitude had a significant impact on the occurrence of self-care behavior (0.26, P<0.05). Conclusion: Enhancing knowledge and improving attitudes are crucial for developing effective information therapy strategies for elderly patients with T2DM, ultimately promoting sustainable self-care behaviors.