Exploring the social impacts of different treatment approaches towards diabetes mellitus: Contemporary versus complementary

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a chronic and widespread metabolic disorder, necessitates a variety of treatment strategies to address its complex and multifaceted nature. Modern treatments like medication, insulin, and lifestyle interventions are evidence based and widely trusted, while complementary treatments are culturally rooted and take a holistic approach to health. Aim: This study compared the social impacts of contemporary and complementary diabetes treatment approaches, focusing on patient behaviour, cultural acceptance, healthcare costs, and overall societal perceptions of health. Setting: This review presents a comprehensive global overview of approaches to diabetes treatment. Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major electronic databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, Google Books, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and International Diabetes Federation to gather the most current information. A total of 57 articles were selected and reviewed. Results: Findings revealed that modern diabetes treatments are often costly and can be limited by issues of cultural sensitivity and access, while complementary treatments tend to be more affordable and culturally acceptable but lack strong scientific validation. Conclusion: The integration of complementary treatments with conventional care appears to be a promising approach, with the potential to improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes by combining the strengths of both treatment modalities. Contribution: The findings offer valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and policy makers seeking to design more culturally responsive and patient-centered diabetes strategies.