Support Groups for Diabetic Patient - Essay Example

"Support Groups for Diabetic Patient" is a great example of a paper on care. The diabetic patient could be striving to learn proper measures of taking care of his health. His major interest is to know measures of managing blood sugar level, preventing worsening of diabetic conditions, ways of caring for his skin, managing hyperglycemic episodes, and procedures for taking medications. The primary role of the nurses is to assess the needs of the patient, predict the expected outcomes, and develop an accurate treatment plan based on proper nursing theories (Tahrani, Bailey, Del Prato & Barnett, 2011). The nurse should intervene by exposing the diabetic patient to relevant learning concerning his health to enable him to make informed decisions regarding the status of his health. Nurses also encourage patients to seek proper medication and advise them to comply with the regimes of treatment that promote healthy lifestyles.

Support groups for diabetic patient

            Support groups for diabetic patients are critical in enhancing diabetes knowledge and the psychological functioning of the patients (Spollet, 2003). Support groups can help the patient to discuss the critical aspects of diabetes and equip him with proper knowledge concerning the disease; these groups also offer guidance and counseling for diabetic patients. The objective of guidance and counseling is to encourage the patient to live a positive life and appreciate living with the disease. The main motivation for joining support groups is to meet with other people suffering from the same condition, build beneficial friendships with like-minded people, and learn proper management and coping skills. Support groups that the patient can join include religious-based organizations, Non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and peer counselors. The diabetic patient should join one of the groups and keep their contacts so that he can contact them when the need arises.

The role of the nurse for patient acceptance of diagnosis and treatment

            Patients are sometimes to accept the diagnosis and the treatment process (Boswell, 2007). The nurse has to intervene by educating the patient on the necessity of being tested. Most people fear being tested to find out that they are suffering from the disease. The nurse should enable the patient to understand the benefits of realizing the existence of the disease during the earlier stages. The nurse can also explain to the patient the benefits of adhering to prescriptions. When a patient becomes aware of the disease in its early stages, they can access the required medication and counteract the disease from advancing fast (Tahrani, Bailey, Del Prato & Barnett, 2011). The nurse should inform the patient that understanding his health will enable him to adopt the self-care strategy that is critical to people suffering from chronic diseases.

Indicators of the need for nurse’s assistance

            Some actions by the patient can indicate to the nurse that he needs assistance. First, when the patient accepts to be diagnosed, he implies that he is ready to undergo the treatment process. Second, the patient may begin developing an attitude of inquiry; for example, inquiring about the proper ways of leading a healthy life and skills of coping with the condition. Third, if the patient begins visiting the hospital regularly, then it is an indication that he needs assistance. The motivation to get assistance from the specialists makes him leave home to visit the healthcare center. Nurses have the responsibility to study closely the behaviors of patients to identify their needs and provide solutions effectively (Spollett, 2003).

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