The Diabetes Teaching Plan

The Diabetes Teaching Plan

Introduction

The teaching plan is defined as, an outline of education to be given to the patients, their families, and the overall community (Farlex Medical Dictionary 2012). The diabetes-teaching plan focuses at facilitating the patients to lead an educated lifestyle with choices and changes that promote health, as well as, a stable blood sugar levels. The teaching plan is developed with respect to every individual patient needing a comprehensive approach to the treatment. This usually comprises of (a) an individualized plan of food/meal according to the lifestyle of each patient, (b) education relating to his or her illness and the nutrition therapy, and lastly (c) goals, both short-term and long-term, with mutual agreement, of lifestyle modification (Myers, 2013).

The teaching plan should aim to put a significant amount of stress on the important of complying with the treatment program prescribed. Each teaching plan is tailored according to the specific needs of the patients, his/her abilities, and the developmental stage. It also considers the gender, socioeconomic, and cultural differences of each patient. Each teaching plan for patients suffering from diabetes comprises of diet, administration of medicines, possible side effects of the involved medications, vital of exercise, monitoring blood glucose levels, hygiene, and identification and prevention of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia (McGovern et al, 2002).

According to the reports of Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are currently 17 million people suffering from diabetes in the United States. Out of this 17 million people, only about 11 million people are diagnosed while the rest of them are not diagnosed. The number of diabetes patients varies according to the age group he/she belongs. Almost 151, 000 people suffering from diabetes are less than 20 years of age (CDC, 2013).

Discussion

The Learning Needs

Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus, whether type 1 or type 2, have a highly wide-ranging set of learning needs, which focuses on the management of glucose, as well as preventing the complications. The learning needs of diabetes patients are complex. With so many new cases being diagnoses, very few people are aware of the lifestyle modification it requires, especially with respect to physical activity and nutritional needs. Making this lifestyle modification are the greatest requirements of managing diabetes. The learning need varies for a 10-year old girl, and a 35-year old adult male. However, the main aim stays the same, i.e. to provide the knowledge to the patient for self-directed changes of the behavior improving the general health, as well as, prompt management of their illness (Diabetes Initiative, 2009).

The Behavioral Objectives

Both patients, 10-year old girl and 35-year old male, must be able to explain the medications prescribed to them, as well as, how they are prescribed.

Both patients, particularly the adult male, should be able to exhibit the essential care of skin and foot.

Both patients should be able to self-monitor the level of glucose in blood via a blood glucose meter as demonstrated by the nurse.

Both patients will be able to tell the beneficial points of ...