THE ROLE OF NURSES IN DIABETES CARE AND EDUCATION By Prof. Morsi Arab IDF Chair EMME Region...

THE ROLE OF NURSES IN DIABETES CARE AND

EDUCATION

ByProf. Morsi Arab

IDF Chair EMME RegionUniversity of Alexandria

The Diabetes Care Team

The Nurse is a member of the Diabetes Health Care Team which requires: - complementation - integration - no contradictions - strict job description ( without overdoing)

A special Member The nurse is a privileged member of the team.

Why? 1 .Has more time ( to listen and to educate)

2 .can replace the doctor’s ‘orders’ by ‘instructions and guidance: ’

a psychol. value? 3 .Female nurses understand and

communicate better with ) a female pt. or mother of a diab. child (

Sympathy and Care is a feminine specialty……

Positive and Negative Aspects of Historical Significance in the ME 1. Islamic history supported the role of woman

nurses **.

2 .Cultural factors delayed women’s development .

In the region X

3 .Poor reputation about the standard of nursing in Arab hospitals X

4.Establishment of Higher schools of Nursing

) Alexandria early 1960 ** (

5 .First recognition & a parallel international course (Alexandria 1991)**

Cont.(Historical …)

6 .Developing National Diab. Nurse Training

Programs**

7 .A generation of high-standard specialized

educators with a nursing background**

The Diabetes Nurse gets international recognition

Notional Programme for Nurses Training

Nurse Training Workshops

Requirements to PerfectThe General Requirements for a nurse to perfect

her role in diabetes care and education: I. Knowledge

- in diabetes and related sciences.- in basic principles in education

II. Skills - clinical : history taking , examination ,etc.

- educational :skills of teaching knowledge and skills , and changing attitudes of pts .

III. Special talents (Attitude): interest, team working, respecting limitations,etc

Specific Considerations Specific role in “ Acute complications”

1 .Knowledge of causes, symptoms and signs, diagnosis, prevention and principles of

management . 2 .Clinical Skills :e.g. history, exam. (P & BP,

urine test, bld sugar, acetone breath, etc( follow-up observations.…………

3 .Educational Skills e.g. instructing prevention, diagnosing and immediate management.

4 .Taking appropriate decisions

The Diabetes Nurse in Foot Care Knowledge : foot anatomy, vulnerability, types of

injuries (mechanical, thermal, chem.) weight bearing walking dynamics ,etc .

Clinical examination Skills : pulses, sensation, dryness, colour changes, points of stress , etc ,(

Management skills according to her training. Level I : e.g. dressings, nail cut, etc. Level II : e.g. ulcer debridement , etc

Education Skills for patients on : self inspection, shoes , stockings,, preventing mech., thermal and chemical

injuries, etc

In the Absence of the Physician

The Diabetes Nurse:

-At School

- As Health Visitor to Homes

- At Far Rural Centres

The Diabetes Nurse at School -Keeps records of children with diabetes

- checks times for insulin intake and snacks

- manages acute episodes e.g. hypoglycemia

- educates school staff to-:

- consider the needs of the diab child

- manage emergencies

- avoid discrimination

The Diabetes Nurse at Homes -Encourages pt. compliance to:

- regular check of glycem. Control

- periodic checks e.g. ,ophthalmoscopy, e.c.g. ,etc

- Monitors early develop. of complications

- Guidance (Education) about special needs

of : the Elderly ,the Isolated , and the Handicapped diabetic.

The Diabetes Nurse at Far Rural Centres - Keeps sound balance between active

management of diab care or referral

) to physicians and specialists (in due time .

- Manages immediate care in emergencies

- Checks sufficient stores of medications and equipment for emergencies.

- Checks readiness of fast means for transportation in emergencies