Question

Give an example of how you would develop a patient education plan for Diabetes Mellitus II?

Answer 1

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease and the patient has to learn several self management behaviours.Diet, physical activity and stress will affect diabetic control, and hence patient need to learn to balance several factors.

There are various strategies to organise the information and skills that need to be taught to a diabetic patient. The convenient approach is to organise the information and skills into 2 main types- basic/initial/survival skills and information AND advanced/in depth/continuing education

Survival skills

This should be taught to newly diagnosed diabetic patients and those who are taking insulin for the first time.These are the information the patient should have to prevent hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic complications.The information includes

1) Simple pathophysiology

-basic definition of diabetes(increase in blood glucose)

-normal blood glucose ranges and target levels

-effect of insulin(decrease blood glucose)

-effect of diet,stress,infections(increase blood glucose)

-treatment approaches

2) Treatment modalities

-administration of oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin

-diet information( food groups,timing of meals)

-monitoring of blood glucose and ketones

3) Recognition,prevention and treatment of complications such as hypoglycaemia and hyperglycemia

4) Information such as

-where to buy and store insulin,syringes, glucose monitoring devices

-when and how to reach the physician

In depth education -

This involves information needed to prevent long term complications as well as more detailed information on survival skills.This includes

-Foot care

-Eye care

-General hygiene

-Risk factor management(blood pressure and blood lipid control)

- Most advanced information includes alternative methods of insulin delivery such as insulin pumps,a algorithm and rules for evaluating and adjusting insulin doses.