Nutritional Management of Diabetes and Holistic Health Care - Essay Example

Running head: NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT Nutritional Management of Diabetes and Holistic Health Care You're The healthcare management approaches to cases of patients with diabetes are indeed many but in recent yeas this focus has been turning to more of a holistic alternative in some cases. An abundance of research has found that correcting the nutritional areas of those who suffer with diabetes can improve upon their health condition, as this research will go about defining. Also, this literature will also discuss the importance of organization within the health care environment due to the fact that interprofessional skills are necessary in properly assessing and treating patients who have chronic health diseases such as those with diabetes. It is not just the nurse that is in charge of the patient but involves those in the lab, the attending physician, those in charge of specific specialty tests, and in other areas as well. Therefore the research will emphasize that an organized interprofessional environment is imperative to proper health care and patient management. The conclusion of this research points out that all those in charge of patient care have to stay focused on the ethical concerns during patient management and have to work together, utilizing interpersonal skills to provide the highest quality of care to diabetics in a supportive and organized environment. Nutritional Management of Diabetes and Holistic Health Care Introduction Within the realm of complementary medicine, and with an inclusion of holistic care, diabetic patients need specific medical information on areas such as nutrition and other lifestyle management areas so that they can facilitate some of these changes on their own, with regards to their individual needs. Therefore the assessment that nurses give during the patient treatment is crucial in guaranteeing the necessary medical recommendations and complementary treatments are related to the patient in a manner that is supportive and comprehensible. This draws on strong interpersonal skills between those in charge of patient care and in how the patient responds to those caring for him or her (Aggleton & Chalmers 2000). It is this evaluation phase in the treatment process that brings in the possibilities of alternative treatments such as through holistic remedies like the concept of nutritional management which better facilitates the management of care of diabetic patients. The correct evaluation works around an individuals specific circumstances and promotes medical changes that best suit the patients' needs. Nurses who use an interpersonal approach have been found to be able to correctly assist patients in planning a strategic alternative to gaining control over a disease such as diabetes. This is due to the fact that an interpersonal approach utilizes techniques that are more thorough than a traditional nurse/ patient evaluation. For instance, the skills used are normally observing, questioning, examining, and testing and measuring to ascertain whether the patient will be able to meet the set goals being designed for them (Roper et al 1996). Furthermore, with regard to correctly acquiring patient information so that medical treatment and evaluation can be carried out, nurses and all medical care providers have to be careful not to tread over the stipulations that the NMC has specified when working with patients. This specific code states that, "nurses should protect all confidential information concerning patients obtained in the course of professional practices and make disclosure only with consent" (NMC 2002). This of course draws in the ethical and legal aspects of properly caring for patients in a medical environment as they have a right to privacy and their information should only be divulged if they have given their consent as the code of the NMC directly points out. As is being shown there is more to facilitating the proper care of a diabetic patient (or any patient) that is more complex than simply laying out a nutrition plan and lifestyle management plan. There are far more in depth circumstances involved and all of these lead off into other medical areas which is why strong interprofessional relationships are imperative to patient care management as well (Hogg & Armstrong & Brown 1997). Management of Patient Care Alexander (1994) defines that the care received in a medical facility for diabetics, is one step in ensuring the diabetic patient gains understanding in how to perform lifestyle changes to facilitate their care at home as well. Also, recent research has clearly evidenced the fact that in proper management of patient care, with emphases on the nursing care of diabetics, a holistic approach is beginning to be looked upon as possibly more beneficial to the patient than the more traditional methodologies in the past (Bower 1977). Holistic treatment in the management of diabetes seems to bring about a more positive influence for the patient directly. This is especially true when trying to regiment a treatment plan such as a nutritional analysis, as well as when trying to transform the lifestyle habits that have previously existed in the patients social areas of life. This is stated because some patients have been found to be wanting to move away from the more medicinal approaches to those that can offer alternative forms of treatment and bring about a sense of more participation from them directly. This idea has been transforming the traditional styles of nursing and particularly nurse management over diabetic patients (Alexander 1994). For instance holistic treatment focuses more on social, emotional, mental, and societal aspects of diabetic care which are the areas that appear to be some of the most influential in guaranteeing the proper needs are met of the patient (Bower 1977). As the traditional approach has seemingly only taken into account the actual diagnosed disease and then attempted to facilitate treatment, the holistic approach takes into account all pertinent aspects as well, including the physiological points to ensure accuracy and commitment of both the patient and the care givers so that maintaining a decent quality of health for the patient can be properly carried out (Bertie et al 1991). The Role of Cultural and Social Diversity within the Health Care of the Diabetic Patient Depending upon what cultural background a patient has the more complex the management of the patients care can become. However, interpersonal skills will help in overcoming many of these obstacles if the structure of patient care is handled correctly (Ewles & Simnet 1999). Here again, in this area of diversity holistic health care works far more effectively than trying to maintain the traditional type of care because often a traditional method is not going to blend well with a patient of a Latin background or a background that clashes with the main cultural entity within a country such as England, or even Canada. Therefore, holistic methods could be implemented in a way to where they would meet patients' individual social and personal needs, improving upon their own participation in the management of their health care regimen as well (Ewles & Simnet 1999). Abramms (1996) claims that agencies such as the NCCH (National Center for Cultural Healing) can bring about a concentrated effort to fluidly understand the cultural diversity that often enters into the treatment phases of a diabetic patient. The resources that centers like this offer help the nurse in particular gain a comprehension on how to directly approach gender issues in cultures, acculturalation directly, and individual beliefs and values so that a better supportive network can be established. Medical providers have come to realize that understanding different ethnic groups and cultural classes plays a detrimental role in facilitating proper medical care. If medical staff can not become comprehensible to the needs of culturally diverse patients then the NHSS could be criticized and stated to be incompatible with the needs of other cultures both internationally and nationally as well (Abramms 1996). As Jackson (1993) defines, holistic treatment in diabetic care focuses on the lower order of physiological needs initially because it is understood these needs must be met first to meet the higher levels of needs in the patients care as well. For instance, in a social aspect a patient might lack warmth, shelter, and food which would complicate their medical treatment due to their emotional state and their feelings of insecurity, lack of feeling safe, and a lack of feeling cared for as well (Jackson 1993). This of course shows that in regards to the culturally diverse areas and social areas in the patient care regimen, information is needed about the individual patients physiological and social functioning as it has been inherently found that each patient is different and their symptoms of disease might slightly vary from other patients due to their individuality and social differences. Therefore, when each patient's problems or needs are dealt with efficiently then it avoids the depersonalization that can often come from the traditional framework of care. In holistic care the person is treated as a whole person and not just as a diagnosed illness but someone with a cultural background, and who has varied social needs just like any other human being does (Jackson 1993). When a diabetic patient is treated more exclusive they develop a positive attitude and are more willing to follow the necessary nutritional plan and lifestyle assessment plan than if their personal needs were ignored and no acceptance of their cultural or social differences were given. Therefore, again holistic medicine has made great improvements in a wide range of services for diverse patients who suffer with diabetes. Hinchcliffe et al (1993) define how this type of alternative to traditional healthcare has transformed the field of nursing into one more devoted to the care of the individual patient instead of grouping them all into one category. Review of the Literature on Nursing Strategies of the Diabetic Patient Hinchcliffe et al (1993) defines that there must be an advocacy present in order to promote the clients rights so that they are given a responsibility to have a choice in their treatment regimen. This type of empowerment allows for them to decide for themselves and from there the facilitator attempts to ensure that the patients care can be supported and safeguarded (Jackson 1993). Furthermore, the research has defined that there are four necessary phases that have to be established upon the admission of the patient to care and these are assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating. These allow the nurse to perform the proper type of assessment and define where the major problems are when attempting to work with the patient in designing a nutritional plan and a lifestyle change format (Mallik et al 1998). From this point the care can be directed to meet the individual patient needs through a perfectly designed care plan suited for them and of which makes exceptions for their social and cultural needs as well. While under hospital care, a diabetic patient has to be closely monitored and many studies have shown that an interpersonal relationship between the caregivers and the patient is fundamental in providing the correct type of care where the patient feels he or she is involved in the decisions as well (Binnie et al 1999). During this period of time plans are made prior to the patients continuing recovery and treatment from care. The diabetic nurse visits the patient quite often, documenting their meals and what they have consumed on a regular basis to see how the varied diet sets with them and to articulate the response from the patient about their diet as well. This type of activity is often carried out before meals and the last thing at night then documented in the patients chart (Russell 1999). Following release from a medical environment, these types of interactions ensure that the patient will feel positive enough to attempt to stick with the regimented plan designed for them of which they had a part in. So, by monitoring correct carbohydrate intake, glucose levels, and other food products that might affect the natural insulin levels in the body, the patient can feel at ease and secure in knowing that those in charge of his or her care will safeguard his or her wellbeing and plan out the best strategies to keep their health in optimum shape. Furthermore, the underpinning of holistic care guarantees that the patient does not feel neglected or left out of any of the decision making surrounding the individual care plan that they need. By proper communication through interpersonal relations with the patient the nurse and other care practitioners can promote a positive experience for the diabetic patient and help them facilitate their own needs in the best way possible (Abramms 1996). Personal Reflection Through personal reflection I have discovered that it is imperative to treat patient information in a very confidential manner and only divulge it when I have received that patients consent. This is according to the ethical and legal areas surround medical care through the NMC's code of conduct. Also, I have been able to personally reflect on what it takes to gain a patients trust and respect and to ensure that they have faith in working with me in designing a treatment plan for them. Interpersonal relationships are some of the most crucial to have fully developed in order for a nurse to be able to work efficiently with a patient. In order to make them feel like they are contributing to their care, an interpersonal relationship is indeed necessary and the best form of medical care to utilize is the alternative of holistic medicine as it seems to focus on the patient as the priority more so than the disease of diabetes itself. Patients want to have a part in structuring the life changes that are going to be necessary to regulate their health and safeguard their over all physical well being, holistic medicine, I have discovered is great at achieving these types of feelings and promoting positivism in the patient/nurse relationship. I have also had time to realize that every diabetic patient is different and while some will have to have routine checks on their glucose and insulin levels others will not so making certain that the proper nutrition plan and exercise plan is established is a very important part of the patient care as well. All of these issues carried out in a positive manner and with the patient in mind at all times lead to a positive and fulfilling nursing experience for both the nurse and the patient that he or she has under their care as well. Conclusion Care for a diabetic patient can be confusing and time consuming as it takes the necessary strategy to fulfill the needs and expectations of each individual patient. As the research has pointed out every patient is totally different and therefore the patients themselves need to be treated not just the disease. So as has been theorized, proper communication, understanding, sharing knowledge, and allowing for decision making by the patient are all necessary factors in achieving a positive patient experience in nursing, with particular emphases on the individual patient. The patient management care of a diabetic individual can be hard yes; but it is not impossible with the right implementations and the correct attitude. References Abramms, Simon. (1996). The Cultural Diversity Sourcebook: Getting Real about Diversity. Amherst: HRD Press Publications. Aggleton, P. & Chalmers, H. (2000). 2nd Edition Nursing Models and the Nursing Process. London: Palgrave Publishers Limited. Alexander, S. (1994). Nursing Practice Hospital and Home-The Adult. Churchill: Livingstone Publications. Bertie, O. et al. (1991). Rediscovering Nursing. London: Chapman and Hall Publications. Binnie, A. & Titchen, A. & Lathlean, J. (1999). Freedom to Practice: Patient Centered Nursing. Nursing Times, 93. Bower, Fl. (1977). A Model for Planning Holistic Nursing Care: A Model of Practice. (2nd Edition) Journal of Advanced Nursing, 11. Ewles, L. & and Simnet, I. (1999). Promoting Health: A Practical Guide (4th Edition) London: Bailliere Publications. HinchCliffe, S. & Norman, S. & Schober, J. (1993). Nursing Practice and Healthcare (2nd Edition) London: The Bath Press. Hogg, T. & Armstrong, V. & Brown, B. (1997). The Importance of Good Keeping. Nursing Times, 93 (7). Jackson, L. (1993). "Understanding, Eliciting, and Negotiating Patients' Multicultural Health Needs." Nurse Practitioner, 18, 30-34. Mallik, M. & Hall, C. & Howard, D. (1998). Nursing Knowledge and Practice: A Decision Making Approach. London: The Bath Press Publication. NMC. (2002). NMC Code of Conduct. [online] Available from: http://www.nursing-standard.co.uk/professionaldevelopment/nmc-code.asp Roper, N. & Logan, W. & Tierney, A. (1996). The Elements of Nursing: A Model for Nursing Based on a Model of Living (4th Edition) London: Churchill Livington Publications. Russel, G. (1999). Essential Psychology for Nurses. London: Routledge Publication. UKCC. (1996). Guidelines for Professional Practice. London: UKCC Publication. Read More