The role of nurses as educators in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes: A systematic Literature review
oguno, linda (2019)
oguno, linda
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019100419558
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019100419558
Tiivistelmä
Globally about 200 million people suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In Finland, a country with a population of about 5.5 million people, there are about 300, 000 people living with T2DM. Nurses have the obligation to guide a patient on suitable prevention and management strategies towards T2DM. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the roles of nurses as educators in the prevention and management of T2DM. This study chooses a systematic literature review methodology. This was achieved by reviewing and analysing previous literature based on the fifteen studies that were identified. These studies focused on the role of nurses in acting as educators in the prevention and management of T2DM.
Based on the reviewed literature, the analysis was based on three main key themes identified; the role of nurses in the prevention of T2DM, the role of nurses in the management of T2DM and the role and responsibilities of nurses as educators. Further, the three themes were described into eleven sub-categories that presented more specific findings. Based on these sub-categories, it was noted that nurses play a major role in the prevention of diabetes where they act both as advocates and teachers to educate patients on ways of reducing their risk of developing T2DM, the need to consume a well-balanced diet, the need to limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking and the importance of regular physical exercises. Additionally, the nurse’s role in the management of T2DM helps to evaluate the patient’s individual needs and in the understanding of diabetes-related complications and associated problems. Nurses have a role and responsibility as educators in the promotion of self-care among diabetic patients, provisions of nutritional education, early screening and detection of T2DM among high-risk patients, monitoring of blood glucose levels and provision of education on the administration of oral and injectable therapies. Nurses are able to play these roles since they have the opportunity to engage patients seeking healthcare services. In conclusion, as described the nurse plays a vital role in the prevention and management of T2DM.
Based on the reviewed literature, the analysis was based on three main key themes identified; the role of nurses in the prevention of T2DM, the role of nurses in the management of T2DM and the role and responsibilities of nurses as educators. Further, the three themes were described into eleven sub-categories that presented more specific findings. Based on these sub-categories, it was noted that nurses play a major role in the prevention of diabetes where they act both as advocates and teachers to educate patients on ways of reducing their risk of developing T2DM, the need to consume a well-balanced diet, the need to limit alcohol consumption and stop smoking and the importance of regular physical exercises. Additionally, the nurse’s role in the management of T2DM helps to evaluate the patient’s individual needs and in the understanding of diabetes-related complications and associated problems. Nurses have a role and responsibility as educators in the promotion of self-care among diabetic patients, provisions of nutritional education, early screening and detection of T2DM among high-risk patients, monitoring of blood glucose levels and provision of education on the administration of oral and injectable therapies. Nurses are able to play these roles since they have the opportunity to engage patients seeking healthcare services. In conclusion, as described the nurse plays a vital role in the prevention and management of T2DM.