Diabetes Nurse Educators' Prioritized Elder Foot Care Behaviors

Self-care behaviors of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Greece

The purpose of this study was to examine self-care behaviors of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in the Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care behaviors measurement was administered to 215 patients, out of which 177 were eligible to participate (87 males). Patients, aged 30 years or more, were recruited through a university hospital day-clinic. Older patients (>65 years), as well as those with "higher educational level" did not distribute their daily carbohydrate intake equally. Nevertheless, they were more likely to adapt to their physician's recommendations regarding medication and to regularly perform suggested blood glucose checking. Exercise patterns were more often found for higher educated, earlier diagnosed males. Younger patients were less likely to follow their healthcare professional's recommendations, regarding diet, medication intake, blood glucose checking, foot care and exercise compared to older patients. These results pose a higher risk for complications and morbidity in younger patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who most possibly will require intensive treatment in the future.

Impact of action cues, self-efficacy and perceived barriers on daily foot exam practice in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify the effects of health belief model factors on daily foot-exam practice among diabetes mellitus patients with peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND

Daily foot exams are one of the most important self-care behaviours that prevent the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers and subsequent amputation. Although daily foot exams were under-practiced in patients with peripheral neuropathy, few studies have explored modifiable social-psychological factors related to daily foot exams.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was used to collect the data.

METHODS

A total of 277 patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy were recruited from two hospitals in northern Taiwan. The Family APGAR and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Health Belief Scale (DFUHBS) were used to measure family support and health belief factors respectively. Data on foot-exam practice, perceived self-efficacy and action cues were collected through the use of structured questionnaires. The data were analysed using logistic regression.

RESULT

The regression model revealed that select action cues (recommendations from family, friends, or health professionals), perceived self-efficacy and perceived barriers interactively influenced the participants' daily foot-exam practice.

CONCLUSION

Factors related to daily foot-exam practice were identified. Specifically, action cues played a significant role in motivating daily foot-exam practice in this group.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study recognises modifiable factors that influence the daily foot-exam practice of patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. Using the findings of this study, health professionals can design interventions that aim to modify the above factors as a means to promote daily foot-exam practice.

Foot self-care practices among Filipino American women with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION

To determine the foot self-care practices performed by Filipino American (FA) women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHOD

The Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities - Revised and Expanded measure was administered to 118 FA adult female immigrants with type 2 DM.

RESULTS

Younger FA women (<65 years), participants with higher education, those who immigrated to the United States (US) at younger ages, and participants diagnosed with type 2 DM at younger ages reported they washed their feet every day during the past week. Moreover, FA women who immigrated to the US at younger ages and participants who were diagnosed with the disease at younger ages reported that they dried their feet (in between toes) daily during the previous week. Further, FA women who were diagnosed with type 2 DM at younger ages were more likely to report that they checked their feet every day during the past week, when compared with participants who were diagnosed with the disease at older ages. Finally, most FA women did not inspect the inside of their shoes.

CONCLUSION

Foot self-care practices were less frequently performed by older FA women with type 2 DM (≥65 years), making them more prone to the development of foot problems such as ulcers, infections, and disfigurations. Optimum foot self-care practices must be encouraged in older FA women to prevent such foot problems, and subsequent amputations.

Application of Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory and Standardized Nursing Languages in a Case Study of a Woman with Diabetes

PURPOSE

This paper aims to illustrate the process of theory-based nursing practice by presenting a case study of a clinical nurse specialist's assessment and care of a woman with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Orem's self-care deficit theory and standardized nursing language, NANDA, NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification), and NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification), guided assessment and the identification of outcomes and interventions related to the client's management of diabetes.

FINDINGS

Theory-based nursing care and standardized nursing language enhanced the client's ability to self-manage the chronic illness: diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Nursing theory and standardized nursing language enhance communication among nurses and support a client's ability to self-manage a chronic illness.

Diabetes and education in the elderly

Diabetes mellitus (DM) in the elderly is a chronic disease where self management is a key aspect. This includes lifestyle modification (diet and exercise), medication compliance and hypoglycaemia management. Education is an important part of this process and the specific needs of the older population with DM have been underlined. The literature has shown that education through a multidisciplinary approach may improve the glycaemic control in selected elderly patients with DM. This article will focus on the evidences from the medical literature and the multiple challenges of teaching in this population.