Chiu, Chiung-HsuanRAKESH MARLECHA BHARATH MARLECHA2026-05-072026-05-072024-06-03https://203.71.86.71/handle/123456789/9800學位別：碩士 關鍵字：Diabetic Patients; Oral Health Care; Medical-Dental Integration; Barriers to Health Care Integration; Oral Health in Diabetes 論文公開日期：2024-06-17Background: Oral health is crucial for overall well-being, particularly in patients with diabetes, who are at higher risk for periodontal disease which results in permanent tooth loss, if left unaddressed. Integrating oral health care into the management of diabetes can enhance patient outcomes. However, the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) on this integration, particularly in India, remain underexplored. Objective: This study aims to explore the attitudes of general practitioners in India towards integrating oral health care for diabetic patients and to identify the barriers they face in this integration. Method: A qualitative study design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 8 general practitioners from southern part of India. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse representation. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis revealed a predominantly negative attitude and practice among GPs towards integrating oral health care in diabetic management. GPs demonstrated limited knowledge regarding the relationship between oral health and diabetes. Significant barriers included a lack of training and awareness about the interconnection between diabetes and oral health, insufficient interprofessional collaboration between medical and dental professionals, and several patient-related factors such as dental fear, the high cost of dental care, and inadequate awareness of oral health complications associated with diabetes. Additionally, systemic issues such as the absence of a robust national oral health policy and specific national guidelines for oral-diabetes care further compounded these barriers. Conclusion: While general practitioners in India recognize the importance of integrating oral health care into diabetes management, several barriers hinder its implementation. Addressing these barriers through targeted training programs, improved interprofessional collaboration, and systemic changes in healthcare delivery could facilitate better integration of oral health care for diabetic patients, ultimately enhancing their overall health outcomes.系所名稱：醫務管理學系碩士班thesis