Problem Solving
People who live with T2DM are faced daily with situations that require adjustments in their self-management plan. Problem solving is an important skill for managing these situations. Problem solving can assist patients to translate recommended self-management techniques into actual behaviors that facilitate individual self-management. The AADE recommends assisting people living with T2DM to develop problem-solving strategies for self-management situations that affect their daily plan (Haas et al., 2013). The AADE defines problem-solving as learned behaviors that include generation of potential strategies for problem resolution, selecting and applying an appropriate strategy, and evaluating effectiveness of the selected strategy (Mulcahy et al., 2003). Using the problem-solving approach, patients can make adjustments to their treatment plan in conjunction with healthcare providers. Problem solving requires that patients have knowledge and support to make appropriate decisions (Baghbanian & Tol, 2012).