THE ROLE OF NURSES IN DIABETES CARE AND EDUCATION

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 doctors 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 womens 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 Perfect
The 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