Diabetes Specialist nurse helps people self-manage their diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes usually see both a practice nurse at their local GP’s in addition to a diabetes specialist nurse who will provide additional support and advice. A diabetes specialist nurse has accountability for prescribing common medicines for people with diabetes. Managing diabetes isn’t always easy and your needs may change over time as the condition progresses.
Services are tailored to patient need. The diabetes specialist nurses aim to allow patients to self-manage their diabetes. Diabetes Educators support them. Their role is to improve the care provided to people with diabetes when they attend the hospital either as an inpatient or as outpatient. They provide education, advice and support to professional and non-professional staff caring for people with diabetes and people with diabetes. This is an individualised service designed to meet their personal and clinical needs
Primary Care Provider
A primary care provider is a health care practitioner who sees people that have common medical problems. This person is usually a doctor with special training in diseases such as diabetes but may be a …show more content…
physician assistant and a nurse practitioner. The primary care provider could be the family practice physician you see when you get sick.
Primary care provider’s role is to provide preventive care and teach healthy lifestyle choices, identify and treat common medical conditions, assess the urgency of your medical problems and direct you to the best place for that care and make referrals to medical specialists when necessary.
Dietician
A dietician has training in nutrition and experience making meal plans and helping people make changes in their lifestyle. A dietician can help you take small steps toward the overall goal of a balanced diet. A dietician will help you develop a meal plan to get a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, and an appropriate amount of calories. They will teach you how to manage carbohydrate intake, usually by carbohydrate counting, but sometimes using the exchange diet, the plate method, the modified food guide, or other meal plans. Registered dieticians translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food.
They undertake the practical application of nutrition with individuals and to promote the well-being of individuals and communities to prevent nutrition related problems. They are also involved in the diagnosis and dietary treatment of disease.
Eye Doctor
An ophthalmologist or an optometrist will check for any changes in your eyes. Since diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the eyes. A type 2 diabetic patient should visit their eye doctor often, at least once a year. They are trained to recognise diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma and cataract, as well as general health conditions such as diabetes. They refer patients to medical practitioners when necessary, as well as sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic conditions. Most of these activities involve the use of specialist equipment.
Most optometrists work in high street practices, which may be independent or part of a regional or national chain. A smaller number work in hospitals alongside other healthcare professionals such as doctors and orthoptists.
Dentist
A dentist treats diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, people with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease. It is essential that they make an appointment with a dentist, who knows you have diabetes every six months. Dentists work with patients and the public in a number of ways, preventing and treating dental and oral disease, correcting dental irregularities and treating dental and facial injuries.
Exercise physiologist
For a patient with type 2 diabetes, physical activity is important, so one may want to work with an exercise physiologist to develop an appropriate exercise program for their fitness level. Exercise physiologists have experience working with people who have varying levels of strength and aerobic capacity. An exercise physiologist can help you plan strategies for staying with your exercise plan. Exercise physiologists typically provide scientific support at various levels to athletes and teams within a single sport or several sports. This may include checking training through the measurement and assessment of such physical functions as: respiration, metabolism, body composition, muscle, nutrition and the nervous, pulmonary and cardiovascular systems.
Pharmacist
A pharmacist understands medicines and interactions. They would find a pharmacy they like and use it regularly so their pharmacist can keep an accurate, up-to-date profile of their medical history, allergies and medications. Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for patients, from giving out medications to observing patient health and progress to maximize their response to the medication. Pharmacists also educate consumers and patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and advice physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on drug decisions. They ensure drug cleanliness and strength and make sure that drugs do not relate in a harmful way. Pharmacists are drug specialists eventually concerned about their patients' health and wellness.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a medical doctor who has trained in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous system disorders, including diseases of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. In relation to type 2 diabetes, the neurologist treats the brain and nerve disorders, such as strokes and diabetic neuropathy. Neurologists are physicians trained in the treatment and diagnosis of brain and central nervous system disorders and diseases. Neurologists also work in a subspecialty of the field, such as geriatric or paediatric neurology.
Parkinson’s disease
Purpose of a care pathway
Using a care pathway ensures that everyone involved, including the patient knows what care will be received and removes unnecessary or repetitive documentation.
Those who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may not require any treatment during the early stages of the disease, as symptoms are usually slight. However, one could require regular appointments with a specialist so that their condition can be monitored. There is no treatment for Parkinson's disease. However, numerous treatments are available to help control symptoms and maintain their quality of life. These may be supportive therapies that help one cope with everyday life, or medication to control their symptoms. For some people with a particular pattern of symptoms, surgery may be an
option.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist can work with a patient who has Parkinson’s disease to relieve muscle difficulty and joint pain through movement and exercise. The physiotherapist aims to make moving easier and improve your walking and flexibility. They also try to improve your fitness levels and your ability to manage things for yourself. Physiotherapists help patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or ageing. Patients can include children, the elderly, stroke patients and people with sports injuries.
Occupational therapy
An occupational therapist can work with a patient who has Parkinson disease, and identify areas of difficulty in their everyday life, for example dressing you or getting to the local shops. They can help you to work out practical solutions and ensure your home is safe and properly set up for you. This will help a patient with Parkinson disease to carry on as normal for as long as possible. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to help them overcome the effects of disability caused by physical or psychological illness, ageing or accident. The profession offers enormous opportunities for career development and endless variety.
Diet advice
Some people with Parkinson’s can experience constipation. This can be assisted by increasing the amount of fibre in your diet and making sure, you are drinking enough fluid. Fibre is found in fruit, vegetables and cereals. Another common problem is orthostatic or postural hypotension. This is low blood pressure when you change position, mainly after standing up too quickly. If you have orthostatic hypotension, your GP may advise that you increase the amount of salt and fluid in your diet.
Medicine
Medicines may be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The three main types of medication that are commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease are levodopa, dopamine agonists and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors.
Deep brain stimulation
This is a surgical technique sometimes used to treat Parkinson's disease. A pulse generator is inserted in the chest wall and a fine wire placed under the skin and attached to the brain. A tiny electric current is produced from the pulse generator, which runs through the wire and stimulates the part of your brain affected by Parkinson's disease. Although surgery does not cure Parkinson's disease, it can ease the symptoms for some.
Clinical trials
All clinical trials in the UK are carefully overseen to make sure they are worthwhile and safely lead. Participants in clinical trials sometimes do better overall than those in routine care.
If one is asked to take part in a trial, they will be given an information sheet about the trial and asked to sign a consent form.
Complementary therapies
Majority of people with Parkinson’s disease find complementary therapies helpful because it makes them feel better. Many complementary treatments and therapies claim to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. However, there is no clinical evidence they are effective.
Countless people think complementary treatments have no harmful effects. However, they can be harmful, and as such, it is a bad idea to use them instead of the medicines prescribed by your doctor. If one decides to use another treatment along with their prescribed medicines, it is important to let their doctor know.