Table 2 Study characteristics

Bissell et al., 2004 [18]

To explore barriers to accomplish a re-framed model of health care in English- speaking patients of Pakistani origin with type 2 diabetes.

UK

[1] Twenty one patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by research team.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] Gender not reported

Fagerli et al., 2005 [36]

To explore how ethnic minority persons with diabetes experience dietary advice given by Norwegian health workers.

Norway

[1] Fifteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified by interpreters.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 4/F = 11

Fleming et al., 2008 [38]

To explore the influence of culture on type 2 diabetes self-management in Gujarati Muslim men.

Canada

[1] Five patients

Case study approach. Analysis using theory building and fieldwork.

None reported.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 5

Galdas et al., 2010 [33]

To explore the cardiac rehabilitation experiences of Punjabi Sikh patients post myocardial infarction.

Canada

[1] Fifteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by research team.

[2] Patients diagnosed with CVD

[3] M = 10/F = 5

Keval et al., 2009 [19]

To explore South Asian Hindu Guajarati speaking people’s experience of type 2 diabetes.

UK

[1] Eighteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by research team.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 10/F = 8

King et al., 2006 [34]

To explore the influence of gender on managing coronary artery disease.

Canada

[1] Eighteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified by interpreters.

[2] Patients diagnosed with CVD

[3] M = 10/F = 8

Lawton et al., 2005 [20]

To explore British Pakistani and British Indian patients’ perceptions and experiences of taking oral hypoglycaemic agents.

UK

[1] Thirty two patients (fifteen South Asian)

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by authors.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 4/F = 11

Lawton et al., 2005 [21]

To explore Pakistani and Indian patients’ experiences of, and views about, diabetes services.

UK

[1] Thirty two patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified by research team in addition software for qualitative data analysis was used.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 15/F = 17

Lawton et al., 2006 [22]

To explore patients’ perceptions and experiences of under-taking physical activity amongst people of Pakistani and Indian origin with type 2 diabetes.

UK

[1] Thirty two patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified by research team and interpreters.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 17/F = 15

Lawton et al., 2007 [23]

To explore patients’ perceptions and understanding of disease causation.

UK

[1] Thirty two patients (fifteen South Asian)

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts independently were verified by authors.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 4/F = 11

Lewis 2007 [24]

To examine the lived experience and cultural illness explanations of a sample of British Indian diabetic patients living with leg and foot ulcers.

UK

[1] Sixteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using Greens’ Framework used to code data. (framework not explained).

None reported.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] Gender not reported

Meetoo 2004 [25]

To examine the dietary pattern of self-care for a group of Asian and Caucasian diabetes patients.

UK

[1] Twenty five patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by research team.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 8/F = 17

Meetoo 2005 [26]

To explore the Explanatory models of diabetes by a group of Asian and Caucasian patients.

UK

[1] Twenty five patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently reviewed by research team.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 8/F = 17

Oliffe et al., 2010 [35]

To describe the connections between masculinities and diet among senior Punjabi Sikh Canadian immigrant men.

Canada

[1] Eighteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were verified by interpreters and NVivo software was used.

[2] Patients diagnosed with CVD

[3] M = 18

Rafique et al., 2006 [37]

To assess the needs, awareness and barriers to diabetes education or self-management in diabetic patients.

Pakistan

[1] Twenty seven patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

None reported.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 11/F = 16

Rhodes et al., 2003 [27]

To examine the experience of diabetes and local services in Bangladeshi diabetic patients.

Canada

[1] Eighteen patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified between authors. Member checking was undertaken with authors checking codes.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] Gender not reported

Rhodes et al., 2003 [28]

To examine access from the point of view of Bangladeshi diabetic patients.

UK

[1] Twelve patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using text detective software package.

None reported.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

Singh et al., 2012 [29]

To explore experiences of UK based South Asian and White patients with diabetes.

UK

[1] Twelve patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using phenomenology

Transcripts were independently verified by authors.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 6/F = 6

Stack et al., 2008 [30]

To explore perceptions towards multiple medicines expressed by people managing co-morbidities.

UK

[1] Three patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified by authors.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes & CVD

[3] Gender not reported

Stone et al., 2005 [31]

To explore the experience and attitudes of primary care patients with diabetes living in UK.

UK

[1] Fifteen patients

In depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified between two researchers.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 6/F = 9

Wilkinson et al., 2012 [32]

To explore renal complications of diabetes from the patients’ perspective.

UK

[1] Twenty five patients

In-depth semi-structured interviews, analysis using grounded theory.

Transcripts were independently verified between authors. NVivo software used to code data.

[2] Patients diagnosed with diabetes

[3] M = 16/F = 9