Diabetes Self Care in Appalachia

Diabetes in Appalachia

Part 1: Teaching Plan

The teaching plan focuses on the following areas, with the intention being to promote self-management of type 2 DM for the patient living in Appalachia.

Leadership.

For people living with diabetes in Appalachia, there is not a lot of health literacy at the moment, and nurses would do well to provide effective information to this population so as to help them (Carpenter & Smith, 2018). There are a number of leadership strategies that can be used to improve outcomes, patient-centered care, and the patient experience related to the problem of diabetes. These strategies include developing clear goals and objectives, promoting teamwork and communication, providing adequate resources, and ensuring continuity of care (Lee et al., 2021; Walters et al., 2020). Patients should inquire about these to support self-management.

Collaboration.

Nurses play a vital role in developing and implementing policies that improve patient outcomes, prevent illness, and reduce hospital readmissions. Patients, nurses and support groups can work together to overcome time and space barriers to self-care.

Communication.

The patient described in this case would certainly benefit from incorporating a better diet into his lifestyle, losing weight, and becoming more active. A nurse who provides this kind of instruction is one who can link health literacy to self-management for quality outcomes (Lee et al., 2021).

Change management.

Identifying the needs of the patient is crucial. Once identified, changes can be made to address the issues. For a patient with dietary needs, meeting with a dietician is imperative.

Policy.

There is strong evidence that evidence-based interventions can improve outcomes for people with diabetes, yet these interventions are not always implemented in practice (Lee et al., 2021; Walters et al., 2020). Evidence-based nursing standards and policies can help to ensure that nurses are providing the best possible care to their patients.

Quality of care.

Listening to the needs of patients and families is not only good for them, it is also good for the quality of care that they receive. Patients should not feel shy about communicating to their nurses to ensure better care.

Patient safety.

Kentucky state board nursing practice standards and government policies recommend the use of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, which uses:

· Community coalition mobilization

· County diabetes assessments

· Community awareness education

· Diabetes and prediabetes group education

· Professional education

· Quality improvement

· Surveillance, reports, evaluation

Costs to the system and individual.

The total annual economic cost of diabetes in the United States is estimated to be $245 billion (American Diabetes Association, 2018). A number of studies have shown that patients who receive intensive treatment for their diabetes have better outcomes and lower healthcare costs than those who do not (Reaven et al., 2019).

Technology.

Support group forums online are a great help for this type of patient, considering the time and space obstacles he faces.

Care coordination.

Care coordination is an important aspect of managing diabetes. An effective care plan will include a team of health care professionals who can provide comprehensive care. Utilizing community resources can also be beneficial in assisting the patient in self-management of their diabetes. Education on proper nutrition, exercise and stress management are important components of diabetes management. Additionally, access to social support networks can help the patient to better cope with their chronic condition. Coordinating care and utilizing community resources can effectively address the needs of the diabetic patient (Carpenter & Smith, 2019).

Community resources.

Online support forums are the main community resource to use for this population in Appalachia.

Part 2

The patient is a 52-year-old male, 210 lbs, 6’3; with a blood sugar average 115-190; who has gone full code; with his last A1C at 6. He is currently taking medications, Metformin and Ozempic. He has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, onset occurring in 2019. The patient is active on social media and other platforms and has the following equipment at home: a BP machine, O2 sensor, Blood Glucose monitoring (Dexicom) with readings on smart device; APS: The Diabetes AP, Diabetes connect (app that tracks exercise, medication, pulse, bp). The patient does utilize telehealth from time to time along with the following websites for information: American Diabetes Association, CDC/Diabetes Mgmt, and Diabetes food hub. The patient would like to have a higher quality of life.

The patient wants to have a higher quality of life and struggles with health issues related to Diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a serious medical condition that occurs when the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels (Forouhi & Wareham, 2019). If left untreated, DM can lead to a number of serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and nerve damage—that is why I selected this problem and this patient. By understanding the problem of diabetes, I am better able to educate my patients about their condition. I can provide them with information about how to prevent complications, how to manage their glucose levels, and how to live a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, this empowers my patients to take control of their own health and gives them the tools they need to lead happy and healthy lives.

Leadership and Change Management

Leadership and change management are essential in this role. Change management is a process that can help individuals to successfully navigate these challenges. Leaders play an important role in this process by providing guidance and support. They can also create a vision for change and help to build consensus among team members. In addition, leaders can help to identify and overcome barriers to change. By working together, leaders and change managers can help individuals with diabetes to successfully self-manage their condition. Strategy must focus on education. Educational activities targeting the prevention of type 2 diabetes should therefore include nutrition education, sessions on how to tailor a diet that is low in fat and calories and high in fiber, and instruction on food and exercise journaling to help monitor one's progress. It is possible that more intensive or longer-term interventions may be necessary to achieve significant and lasting changes in behaviors related to diet and physical activity. In addition, it is important to consider the feasibility of delivery within the school setting, as well as issues related to cost-effectiveness.

Nursing Ethics

Nursing ethics provides a framework for addressing the problem of diabetes self-management. The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence provide guidance for nurses in assisting patients to manage their disease. Autonomy requires that patients be empowered to make decisions about their own care. Beneficence requires that nurses act in the best interests of patients. Non-maleficence requires that nurses do no harm. Applying these principles to the problem of diabetes self-management, nurses can help patients by providing education and support while respecting their autonomy. In addition, the principle of justice requires that nurses consider the equitable distribution of resources when addressing the problem of diabetes self-management. This includes ensuring that all patients have access to necessary resources and services. Plus, the application of new technologies to the treatment of diabetes represents both an opportunity and a challenge. It is important to carefully consider the potential barriers and costs associated with the use of specific technologies before integrating them into a diabetes treatment program. Otherwise, benefits could be outweighed by the challenges patients are presented with in trying to learn new technologies.