Summary Of The Diabetes Teaching Plan Research Assignment

Diabetes teaching plan and essay
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Diabetes Teaching Plan
The prevalence of diabetes has been fueled by unhealthy lifestyles as well as high obesity levels, among other factors in the modernized world. Research indicates that 29.1 million people in the U.S are currently living with diabetes, although about 8 million of these individuals have not been diagnosed and treated. As a result of these statistics, there is a need to create awareness to the community regarding this chronic disorder. Such awareness would enable the communities to take precaution or seek medical attention depending on whether they already have diabetes or not. This essay summarizes the teaching plan regarding diabetes, provides an epidemiological rationale, evaluates the teaching experience and provides a community response to the teaching.
Summary of the diabetes teaching plan
Teaching Plan consisted of 6 classes every evening. These classes were characterized by 3-4 hour sessions of education and consequent group discussion. The topics discussed included;
Day 1
General information on diabetes based on available data (3 hours)
Day 2
Risk factors for diabetes (1 hour)
Management and care for diabetes (2 hours)
Blood glucose monitoring and goals for the same (1 hour)
Day 3
Medications and Insulin (3 – 4 hours)
Day 4
Complications from Diabetes (2 hours)
Exercise and Diabetes (2 hours)
Day 5
Diet and Diabetes (2 hours)
Coping with Diabetes (1 hour)
Recommended lifestyle change for diabetes (1 hour)
Day 6
Questions and Answers (2 hours)
Review of any concepts requested by patients (1 hour)
Feedback from the members of the community in attendance (1 hour)
During the general overview, the members of the community in attendance were educated on the types of diabetes and their epidemiology. Accordingly, there are two types of diabetes; type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common one given that it accounts for 90% of the total diabetic population (CDC, 2017). Its prevalence varies across different geographic location, ages, and ethnicity. People living in rural areas or areas which are less developed have a low likelihood of contracting type 2 diabetes. However, when such people migrate to urbanized areas, their risk of contracting the disease highly increases. Moreover, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age whereby most victims are over 45 years. This trend has been fast changing given factors such as increased childhood obesity (Nita & Nicholas, 2014). Recently, type 2 diabetes is prevalent in both children and young adults (10-19 years). An estimated one out of ten young adults have this type of diabetes. Besides, one out of three adults has pre-diabetes, although most victims are unaware of their condition. Further, individuals who are Black, Native American and Hispanic are more likely to be infected with the disease compared to Caucasians.
On the other hand, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) affects the remaining 10% of the diabetic population (CDC, 2017). Historically, this type of diabetes, mainly affects children and adolescents. Reports indicate an increase in incidence with age in most of the American communities. This implies that the adolescents (aged 10 – 14 years) are more likely to record higher incidences of T1D. Recent reports from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases indicate that this diabetes can be prevalent across all ages. Notably, there is limited data regarding type 1 diabetes mellitus in the U.S. Hence; information availed to the community regarding this type of diabetes is limited. However, members of the community are encouraged to take their children (including those of adolescent age) to health care institutions for screening (NIH, 2017). This would enable them to know their health status and take necessary action.
The community was provided with sufficient background information on the disease was given the epidemiological rationale for both type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes as provided above. The objective of educating the community was to make them aware of diabetes and inform them of which age group was at risk for each type of diabetes. Another objective was to provide sufficient information on the management and care of diabetes to individuals who have already been diagnosed with the disease. The main beneficiaries of this teaching plan were patients with diabetes. Such patients have comprehensive learning, needs such as managing the glucose level in the blood, which need to be addressed (ADA, 2015). As such, the teaching plan was mainly aimed at educating these patients to make informed decisions regarding their lifestyle choices. The importance of medication and insulin regulation was emphasized during the teaching. Also, the community was made aware of the complications associated with the disorder and how to effectively manage them. Consequently, the persons available were urged to incorporate a healthy lifestyle comprising of a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The teaching plan was eye-opening given that it provided the community with insight on diabetes. Most of the individuals were able to acknowledge the importance of finding out their diabetic status. Moreover, diabetic patients were enlightened on how they can gain normalcy despite the complications associated with the ...