Essay On Diabetes Patient Education

There are many people who are newly diagnosed with diabetes each year. In people with diabetes, the insulin is not doing its job causing the sugar to remain in the blood stream; which results in a lack of energy needed for everyday functioning. Health care personnel educate patients about maintaining their diabetes, but their time is limited. This is the reason Diabetic nurse educators are important, because they have the time to teach about diabetes, how to check sugars, and how to handle sick days. The role of a Diabetic nurse educator is to improve the quality of patient education. The assessment is based on what the patient knows about the illness, where their educational need lies, and each person’s readiness to learn.
Moreover, the education …show more content…
First, the nurse assessed the patient’s needs and the problems of the patient and their family. Second, the nurse formulated a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient appropriate for the patient’s educational level. Third, the nurse emphasized strategies to help motivate what is necessary for the patient. The nurse planned their teaching during an interrupted time and the nurse used provided pamphlets were written based on a 4th grade reading level. Fourth, the nurse implemented teaching about self-monitoring of blood glucose, exercise, healthy food choices, controlling blood pressure, and insulin treatment if necessary. Finally, the nurse evaluated the outcome of the patient education by asking questions to ensure that they understood the information provided.
There were socio-economic barriers in some of the patients, because they were unable to pay for the glucometer due to the fact that they did not have insurance and/ or did not have money at the time of the visit. The nurse provided the glucometer, a few test trips, and pen needles at the time of the visit to hold them over for a few weeks. The nurse also gave them a discount card where they can pay little to nothing for their