Date of Award
Spring 2015
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Advisor
John Chovan, PhD, DNP, RN, CNP, CNS
First Committee Member
Alicia Ribar, PhD, RN, CNP
Second Committee Member
Frank Schwartz, MD
Keywords
Diabetes, Diabetes distress, Nursing, Endocrine, Transformation
Subject Categories
Endocrine System Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus affects millions of people in the United States, placing them at risk for other disease related complications. This makes the management of diabetes and the prevention of complications an important challenge. The psychological aspect of diabetes care may present a barrier to patients that inhibit them from achieving optimal self-care.
Diabetes distress (DD) is the psychological aspect of diabetes that is specific to the emotional distress caused from living a chronic disease. DD has been linked to poorer self-management behaviors which makes it a significant problem that should be taken into consideration for effective management of the diabetic patient.
Many providers are unaware of the significance of DD or screening tools that are available to help them target problem areas that are creating distress for the patient. The Diabetes Distress Survey is a simple screening tool that can be used within a clinic setting to quickly identify problem areas that will help a provider to identify issues where they can help ease patient distress and thereby improve patient compliance and glycemic control.
An education program was formatted based upon the results of a knowledge assessment of diabetes distress and attitude towards diabetes and diabetes care in a small endocrine and diabetes center. Upon completion of the program, staff had an increased awareness of diabetes distress, but no changes in attitudes were identified by test results. Anecdotally, staff did make comments that showed a change in attitude towards diabetes distress and diabetes care.
Recommended Citation
Jeannie, Goff M., "Diabetes Distress: Transforming a Practice" (2015). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 10.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_doc/10