Nursing and Wellness

8/2/2019 Nursing and Wellness

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Motivating for Diabetes 1

Running Head: MOTIVATING FOR DIABETES

Motivating Older Adults for Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes


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Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction

Diabetes is rapidly spreading throughout the world, especially in developed countries.

According to the World Health Organization (2012), around 346 suffer from diabetes. Of the two

types of diabetes, type 2 diabetes is more common. The likelihood of having diabetes depends on

ethnicity. In addition, the likelihood of getting diabetes also increases with age. Along with

professional medical assistance, coping with diabetes involves considerable self-management by

the patient. Patients need to be sufficiently motivated to undertake responsible self-management.

This paper discusses ways in which the motivation levels of type 2 diabetes patients can be

enhanced with the help of healthcare practitioners and the healthcare system.

Discussion of Issues

Hu, Wallace, and Tesh (2010) report that diabetes patients have low perceptions of health-

related quality of life. They also report that diet, exercise, and obesity are major sources of the

perceptions of quality of life. They suggest that these should be incorporated in any medical

intervention. Motivation is an essential factor in helping type 2 diabetes patients cope successfully

with their condition through self-management techniques (Oftedal, Karlsen, and Bru, 2010). Self-

management requires regulation of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Much discipline is

required to self-manage these aspects of daily life. Therefore, patients must be sufficiently

motivated to manage these aspects of daily life on their own.

According to Oftedal, Karlsen, and Bru (2010), such motivation can be brought about by

various means. They state that healthcare professionals need to demonstrate empathy with the

patients and understand their needs for information and moral support. Doctors who provided

encouragement on each visit were reported to have provided increased motivation to patients to


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self-manage their cases.

Second, healthcare practitioners were also found to increase the motivation levels of their

patients when they provided them complete and accurate information about their condition. This

included the results of all tests and their medical reports. Patients also felt motivated when they

were encouraged to provide input into the course of treatment along with the expert advice of the

doctor. Type 2 diabetes patients learn to identify what factors affect their situation negatively and

what changes work for them. When doctors listen to their patients and provide them expert advice,

patients feel empowered and can exercise greater discipline and responsibility in the course of the

treatment (Oftedal, Karlsen, and Bru, 2010).

Patients also feel motivated when they are provided with accurate information about their

health condition. They also prefer specific information. Such information empowers patients to

measure the effect of their efforts and lifestyle changes. They can then revise their goals or set new

targets. Finally, continuous involvement of the patient and the doctor played an important role in

enhancing the motivational levels of the patients. Doctors or medical support staff who were

available for support at all times helped in this regard. In addition, patients who joined a support

group or became involved in any related group activity such as an exercise club reported higher

levels of motivation (Oftedal, Karlsen, and Bru, 2010).

McDowell, et al., (2009) have studied the effects of moving diabetes care from secondary care

to primary care on the motivation levels of patients. According to their study, patients felt better

motivated when they were interacting with a GP at a clinic than with a hospital practitioner

because of the higher level of trust and strong relationship between the two. The GP was more

aware about the patients medical history, lifestyle, personality, dietary habits, etc. than the doctor

at the hospital. This facilitated sharing of information. At the same time, patients preferred the


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complete and accurate test reports provided at hospitals as opposed to the cursory information

provided by the GP.

Intervention Strategies

On the basis of the factors identified above, the interventions for type 2 diabetes should focus

on involving multiple aspects of the patients lifestyle, including membership of a help group,

exercise club, and so on. Regular, complete and accurate information should be provided to the

patient and the patient must be involved in the development of changes in diet and lifestyle.

Healthcare practitioners must involve patients at all times to keep them motivated. Patients

should be invited to share their experiences and suggestions with the practitioner. The practitioner

should then incorporate these into the advice given to the patient.

Conclusion

The motivation level affects the extent to which type 2 diabetes patients can exercise self-

management in regulating their diet and lifestyle. This affects the health and quality of life of the

patient. Patients are motivated when information is shared with them regularly and they are

allowed to provide input. Practitioners who take interest in the opinions and experiences of the

patient in addition to test results are able to provide individualized advice and motivation.


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References

Hu, J., Wallace, D. C., & Tesh, A. S. (2010). Physical Activity, Obesity, Nutritional Health and

Quality of Life in Low-Income Hispanic Adults with Diabetes,Journal of Community HealthNursing, 27, pp. 70-83. Retrieved on 12 March 2012 from EBSCO Academic Search Primer.

McDowell, J. R. S., McPhail, K., Halyburton, G., Brown. M., & Lindsay, G. (2009).Perceptions of a Service Redesign by Adults Living with Type 2 Diabetes,Journal of Advanced

Nursing, Vol. 65, (7), pp. 1432-1441. Retrieved on 12 March 2012 from EBSCO Academic Search

Primer.

Oftedal, B., Karlsen, B., & Bru, E. (2010). Perceived Support from Healthcare Professionals

among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes,Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 66, (7), pp. 1500-1509.

Retrieved on 12 March 2012 from EBSCO Academic Search Primer.

World Health Organization. (2005). Available from

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/ . [Accessed 12 March2012].
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/

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