Role of nurses in maintaining medicine adherence of diabetis

Nurses are the primary contact in a healthcare system. They are appointed along with the team
members to interact with patients and apply their specialized knowledge, training, and skills
to educate and motivate patients with diabetes about insulin use and practical ways to achieve
treatment goals. Clinical nurse specialists possess specific training and skills to provide this
level of care, while staff or office-based nurses may be trained by physicians to fulfill a task-
specific role. The studies reviews that the patients get benefits from intensive glycemic control
in type 2 diabetes, and contribution of nurses in overcoming the barriers to insulin initiation
and related aspects of diabetes care. Nurses are particularly well positioned to fill the gap and
improve efficiency in diabetes-related healthcare by assisting patients with insulin initiation
and other aspects of glycemic self-management.

With such alarming statistics, the role of nurses in helping patients to control type 2 diabetes-
associated morbidity and mortality is becoming increasingly important. Nurses, on the front
lines, can screen patients for early diabetes identification, recognize and initiate corrective
measures for inadequate treatment regimens, help patients set and achieve therapeutic goals.

Screening, prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes

 inform the risk factors related to type 2 diabetes

 explain the importance of prevention or delay of onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals at

risk

 explain the role of exercise in prevention or delay in progression of type 2 diabetes

 explain the patients, the importance of weight control and diet in the prevention ofx type
2 diabetes.

Promoting self-care

In order to support the patient to self-care their diabetes you should be able to:

 the registered nurses should support and guide the patient in developing self-care

 observe and report the concerns of the patient which can interfere in their ability to
understand self-care

 encourage and inform the patients to use their personalised self -care plans.
Mental health

To care for someone with diabetes and mental illness :

 to understand and aware the patients ,i.e. how mental health problems such as anxiety
stress and depression , can affect diabetic patients.

 If there are any changes noticed in the patient’s normal mental health, is to be noticed by
registered nurse immediately and inform the doctor concerned. This could include certain
changes in medications adherence, anxiety, mood and appearance and also anxiety.

Nutrition

To meet the patient’s individual nutritional needs we should be able to:

 identify and not allow the patients to consume foods and drinks with high level ofsugar
content.

 follow and keep a track of the nutritional plan and report

 measure and record the accurate height and weight of the patient and this should be
repeated at intervals.

Blood glucose monitoring

For the safe use of blood glucose monitoring and associated equipment you should be able to:

 perform the test according to manufacturers’ instructions and local guidelines

 perform the test unsupervised, at the request of a registered nurse

 document and report the result according to local guidelines and procedures

 recognise and follow local quality assurance procedure, including disposal of sharps

 recognise hypoglycaemia and be able to administer glucose

 Understand the normal range of glycaemia and report any readings outside this range to
the appropriate person.
Role of lifestyle and Factors affecting adherence.

I. Socio demographic factors

1.Age: From research study it is found that it is found that old age people are more
adhered to medications and lifestyle. This may be because of fear of death/injury, health
problems, attitudinal barriers like lack of exercise and perceived dependency on other
members for support.
There is a U-Shaped relationship between age and overall changes in lifestyle related
to diabetis. There is no significant relationshi

2.Gender:Women are more health conscious than men. Men are frequently overweight
and their attitude towards food is complicated. In several studies it is stated that women
are more concern and likely about their health than men in dietary habits in case of
diabetis.

3.Socio-economic status: Financial status plays an important role in maintaining

dietary and medicine adherence in diabetis. From different studies it is found that socio-
economic status is positively related with physical activity, dietary and medical
recommendations and adherence. Financial problem has a negative impact on medicine
adherence.

II. Cognitive factors

Awareness about health benefits of healthy lifestyle and medications: A study revealed
that in case of diabetis it is positively related with the awareness about different benefits
of medication and medical adherence. It was found that lack of information for diet ,
physical activity and prescribed medicines by doctors is an important factor in not
maintaining medication adherence.

III. Interpersonal factors

1.Relationship between health-care providers and patient: A good relationship
between health-care provider and patient is found to be directly related to medication
adherence and lifestyle. Patients with high level of concordance with the physician,
staffs, nurses and doctors are found to be more compliant to medication than others.
Patient’ trust also plays an important role and it’s a crucial component in maintaining
patient-physician relationship.The patient should believe that their physician
understand them.

2.Patient-physician communication: The patients who feel that their physicians are
more interactive and feel free to communicate are found to be more adherent to
medication and lifestyle. Poor communication has lead to poorer treatment of diabetis.