Education: Key to Managing Diabetes
Education: Key to Managing Diabetes
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Abstract Diabetes is a chronic condition prevalent in the United States. Failure to manage the disease is costly in that it can cause individuals to have increased comorbidities, reduced life expectancy, and extreme financial burdens. Educating the population enables individuals to avoid these pitfalls. Differing methods of education have been investigated and show promise of improved disease management. These methods include (a) open communication between physicians and their patients, allowing the patient to share in decision making regarding their own plan of care, and (b) nursing professionals communicating with patients on a routine basis via telephone to review disease interventions. Both of these techniques have shown benefits such as improved compliance to the treatment plan leading to better health with fewer complications.
Keywords: diabetes, education, communication, disease management, compliance, follow-up
Education: Key to Managing Diabetes
Americans are being directly affected by a chronic disease called Diabetes Mellitus in phenomenal numbers. Approximately 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease while another 57 million have been said to have pre-diabetic symptoms. It is estimated to cost the United States healthcare system $174 billion annually with costs only expected to rise (2008). While prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus is always the favorable option, control is often the only choice. Management is complicated and often overwhelming to sufferers. Patient embarrassment, lack of trust in the physician, lack of time during the clinical encounter, and miscommunication are a few of the influences leading to lack of needed knowledge . It is imperative that diabetics are educated, that they understand the various treatment options available to them, and that routine follow up cues are given. Using these interventions,
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Abstract Diabetes is a chronic condition prevalent in the United States. Failure to manage the disease is costly in that it can cause individuals to have increased comorbidities, reduced life expectancy, and extreme financial burdens. Educating the population enables individuals to avoid these pitfalls. Differing methods of education have been investigated and show promise of improved disease management. These methods include (a) open communication between physicians and their patients, allowing the patient to share in decision making regarding their own plan of care, and (b) nursing professionals communicating with patients on a routine basis via telephone to review disease interventions. Both of these techniques have shown benefits such as improved compliance to the treatment plan leading to better health with fewer complications.
Keywords: diabetes, education, communication, disease management, compliance, follow-up
Education: Key to Managing Diabetes
Americans are being directly affected by a chronic disease called Diabetes Mellitus in phenomenal numbers. Approximately 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disease while another 57 million have been said to have pre-diabetic symptoms. It is estimated to cost the United States healthcare system $174 billion annually with costs only expected to rise (2008). While prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus is always the favorable option, control is often the only choice. Management is complicated and often overwhelming to sufferers. Patient embarrassment, lack of trust in the physician, lack of time during the clinical encounter, and miscommunication are a few of the influences leading to lack of needed knowledge . It is imperative that diabetics are educated, that they understand the various treatment options available to them, and that routine follow up cues are given. Using these interventions,
References: Kim, H.-S., & Oh, J.-A. (2003). Adherence to Diabetes Control Recommendations: Impact of Nurse Telephone Calls. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 44(3), 256-261. Nguyen, Q., Nguyen, L., & Felicetta, a. (2008). Evaluation and Management of Diabetes Mellitus. American Health and Drug Benefits, 39-48. Tjia, J., Givens, J., Karlawish, J., Okoli-Umeweni, A., & Barg, F. (2008). Beneath the Surface: Discovering the Unvoiced Concerns of Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Health Education Research, 40-52.