Diabetes Self-Management Education

[Leslie B]

I am posting a powerpoint on improving DSME outcomes of self-managed bahaviors and metabolic control for my Evidence-Based Nursing Practice class. I am a new RN who graduated from an ADN program in May of 2013 and am currently completing my BSN. This assignment is focused on sharing insights with others. My powerpoint is located at the following site:

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Moved to our Diabetes / Endocrine Nursing forum

[CDEWannaBe]

I understand you're advocating for more diabetes education, which is wonderful. But what type of education do you think is effective for patients?

[Leslie B]

I understand you're advocating for more diabetes education, which is wonderful. But what type of education do you think is effective for patients?

I think a more comprehensive plan would be beneficial to patients. I know that cost can be a factor. Providing patients with proactive coping skills - using mental simulations to help patients anticipate and overcome potential barriers to compliance. Patients who set realistic goals are more apt to be compliant. Peer groups can provide additional learning and support. Diabetes is a lifelong and progressive disease and needs ongoing self-management interventions that provide follow up and support.

[CDEWannaBe]

But what does that mean? What type of mental simulations? How do you get patients to actually find a treatment plan that works for them?

I've had type 1 diabetes for 36 years. I have had access to exceptional doctors and diabetes educators (my first doctor was Donnel Etzweiler at Park Nicollett who is called the "father of diabetes education" and as an older child I was a patient of the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver). But I've struggled with diabetes management for much of my life. It wasn't until I found treatment options that matched my life (especially an insulin pump) that I had any level of success. The challenge with diabetes is that it deals head on with the weaknesses of human nature. In my experience the medical community doesn't do a good job of finding treatment options that work well for real patients in the real world.

What ways have you found to deal with those issues?

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Thanks for sharing the PP, L.

[SteveDE]

My first comment is DSME is not just for people newly diagnosed with diabetes. It amazes every day how many people live with this disease for years and decades without any education, without any idea on what diabetes is, how it works inside their body, and why or how they can do certain things on the outside to control whats on the inside.

I do believe a more comprehensive approach will provide better outcomes for most (not all) but most people that are able to live their life, but be educated on what changes they need to make will improve. What I've found is the more I am able to follow up with my patients, guide them in proper med. titration, answer questions along the way with monitoring, foods, activity, other provider referrals, etc. the better they feel supported and the better control they have.

Flexibility as an educator is a must, while there are specific areas that need explained, everyone learns differently, everyone has different levels of readiness or willingness to learn, its their body, its their body, its their choice.