Nursing care for diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background. Due to the global rise in diabetes patients, nurses of all specialties and positions are increasingly caring for these individuals on a daily basis. The purpose of this study was to examine the latest re­commendations and individual studies on diabetes management and to determine the place of nurses in a multidisciplinary team. Materials and methods. The article used descriptive methods and methods of comparative analysis to determine the characteristics of nursing practice in the management of patients with diabetes. Results. From the information studied, it became clear that nurses should be prepared to receive quality education associated with ongoing support and care in the community, primary health care institutions or in hospitals for such patients. Education in self-management and psychosocial problem solving are key elements of diabetes care and nursing. The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program is a crucial tool for patient-nurse communication, involving ongoing psychological support through educational techniques to address questions and concerns from individuals with diabetes and their families. Conclusions. Trained nurses can also perform screening for mental disorders and diabetes complications in order to timely diagnose or prevent their development. Regardless of new technologies or treatments, nurses must never lose their role as advocates for patients’ rights.

Keywords

• multidisciplinary team
• self-management
• screening
• medical nutrition therapy
• physical activity