THE ROLE OF NURSES IN

DIABETES CARE AND

EDUCATION
By
Prof. Morsi Arab
IDF Chair EMME Region
University of Alexandria

The Diabetes Care Team

The Nurse is a member of the Diabetes
Health Care Team which requires:
- complementation
- integration
- no contradictions
- strict job description
( without overdoing)

A special Member
The nurse is a privileged member of the team.
? Why
Has more time ( to listen and to educate). 1
can replace the doctors orders by
.2
:
instructions and guidance
?a psychol. value
Female nurses understand and
.3
communicate better with
) a female pt. or mother of a diab. child
(
Sympathy and Care is a feminine specialty

Positive and Negative Aspects of

Historical Significance in the ME
1. Islamic history supported the role of woman
.**
nurses
.
Cultural factors delayed womens development. 2
In the region X
Poor reputation about the standard of nursing in
.3
Arab hospitals X
Establishment of Higher schools of Nursing.4
) ** Alexandria early 1960
(
First recognition & a parallel international
.5
**
course (Alexandria 1991)

Cont.(Historical )
Developing National Diab. Nurse Training. 6
**Programs
A generation of high-standard specialized. 7
**educators with a nursing background

The Diabetes Nurse gets international

recognition

Notional Programme for Nurses

Training

Nurse Training Workshops

Requirements to Perfect
The General Requirements for a nurse to perfect
:her role in diabetes care and education
I. Knowledge
.in diabetes and related sciences
in basic principles in education
II. Skills
.clinical : history taking , examination ,etc
educational :skills of teaching knowledge
.
and skills , and changing attitudes of pts
:III. Special talents (Attitude)
interest, team working, respecting limitations,etc

Specific Considerations
Specific role in Acute complications
Knowledge of causes, symptoms and signs,
.1
diagnosis, prevention and principles of
.
management
,Clinical Skills :e.g. history, exam. (P & BP. 2
)urine test, bld sugar, acetone breath, etc
.follow-up observations
,Educational Skills e.g. instructing prevention. 3
.diagnosing and immediate management
Taking appropriate decisions. 4

The Diabetes Nurse in Foot Care

Knowledge : foot anatomy, vulnerability, types of

injuries (mechanical, thermal, chem.) weight bearing
. walking dynamics ,etc
Clinical examination Skills : pulses, sensation, dryness,
),
colour changes, points of stress , etc
.Management skills according to her training
.Level I : e.g. dressings, nail cut, etc
Level II : e.g. ulcer debridement , etc
Education Skills for patients on : self inspection, shoes ,
stockings,, preventing mech., thermal and chemical
injuries, etc

In the Absence of the Physician

:The Diabetes Nurse
At SchoolAs Health Visitor to Homes
At Far Rural Centres

The Diabetes Nurse at School

Keeps records of children with diabeteschecks times for insulin intake and snacks manages acute episodes e.g. hypoglycemia :-educates school staff to consider the needs of the diab child
manage emergencies
avoid discrimination

The Diabetes Nurse at Homes

:Encourages pt. compliance toregular check of glycem. Control
periodic checks e.g. ,ophthalmoscopy,
e.c.g. ,etc
Monitors early develop. of complications
Guidance (Education) about special needs
of : the Elderly ,the Isolated , and the
.
Handicapped diabetic

The Diabetes Nurse at Far Rural Centres

Keeps sound balance between active management of diab care or referral
. in due time) to physicians and specialists
(
Manages immediate care in emergencies Checks sufficient stores of medications
.
and equipment for emergencies
Checks readiness of fast means for
transportation in emergencies