[Contributions of Integrative community therapy in the therapeutic approach to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Based on the evidence indicating that the current healthcare model fails to comprehensively and satisfactorily address chronic health conditions, complementary approaches to traditional therapeutic methods are needed to provide a broader perspective on people with chronic health conditions. This study investigated the contributions of integrative community therapy (ICT) in treating individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a specialized medical outpatient clinic. This qualitative study involved 20 users with T2DM who participated in ICT sessions and individual interviews. The analysis revealed five main themes: 1) contributions of ICT to diabetes management; 2) diabetes: the discovery of the disease; 3) diabetes: the patient and the family; 4) living with the "enemy"; and 5) diabetes: denial, acceptance and faith. ICT proved to have contributed to the therapeutic approach for individuals with T2DM, serving as a space for dialog, exchange of knowledge, and experiences regarding the daily lives of people with T2DM, which go beyond the context of health and disease. The importance of complementary approaches in the management of chronic conditions such as T2DM is highlighted.