Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Dr. Diane Whitehead

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a heterogeneous metabolic disease impacting more than 8.3% of adults in the United States. Diabetes-related care accounts for more than 11% of all patient care expenditures. The purpose of this project was to identify the primary concerns of members of the T2DM patient population in an underserved clinic in rural southcentral United States and to make recommendations for a staff diabetes education program to address these concerns. Orem's theory of self care outlined the importance of educating and supporting patients in their efforts to manage their own healthcare. Knowles's assumptions of how adult's learn guided the design and provided guidelines for the planning and implementation of the education program. The practice-focused question explored the major concerns of T2DM patients receiving care at the primary care clinic. Clinic providers completed the Diabetic Care Concern Assessment (DCCA) with all adult patients (n = 45) diagnosed with T2DM during primary care patient visits. DCCA responses were placed on an excel spreadsheet and analyzed for themes. Major themes from qualitative analysis of participant responses included fear of the disease, managing daily diabetes control, having additional education on diabetes, learning more about control strategies for diabetes, and helping with daily diabetes management. Findings will promote positive social change at the clinic as providers target specific concerns of their individual patients. T2DM patients may experience improved quality of life as they become empowered to manage their disease. The education program will also lead to the development and implementation of patient treatment plans that potentially decrease complications associated with diabetes.

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