COMPETENCIES OF THE NURSE FOR EDUCATION OF PATIENTS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETIC FOOT
Keywords:
diabetic foot, nursing, education, patient, health careAbstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, endocrine and socially significant disease in which blood sugar is higher
than normal as a result of insufficient production of insulin in the body. One of the most serios complications of the
disease is the so-called “diabetic foot”, manifested by injury to the limb and subsequent gangrene, amputation and
high mortality. This causes permanent disability to the patient, associated with additional complications, reduced
duration and quality of life. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, and the team should include –
endocrinologist, vascular surgeon, orthopedist, hydropodist, rehabilitator and nurse. Early diagnosis and limiting the
influence of risk factors slows down the development of the disease and improves the prognosis of the patient's
condition. Nurses carry out continuous monitoring and communication with the patient and his relatives. They must
carry out control and training to limit the risk factors and exact compliance with the doctor's prescriptions, which
helps to preserve the full lifestyle of the patient, both in the hospital setting and at home and in his social
environment. In this context, the nurse's competencies are essential for the early detection and limitation of the
factors for the development of the diabetic foot. Her full participation in the treatment team and proper training of
patients and their relatives requires her certain knowledge and professional skills. The purpose of this work is to
study the competencies of nurses in their participation in a team for the treatment of diabetic foot and to provide
training to patients and their relatives to limit risk factors and maintain a normal lifestyle.
The study was conducted through an anonymous survey among 32 nurses working in a vascular surgery unit. The
research is aimed at analyzing their competencies for providing quality health care to patients with a diagnosis of
diabetic foot, as well as their ability to properly educate the patient and his relatives to slow down the development
of the disease and maintain a normal lifestyle.
The majority of nurses are familiar with the disease diabetes and its complication "diabetic foot". The main
guidelines in health care to limit risk factors include: diet, hygienic care and periodic examinations. To provide
quality care and maintain a normal lifestyle for patients with a diagnosis of "diabetic foot", it is necessary to develop
a health care algorithm in accordance with the specifics of the disease and the needs of the patient. Its successful
implementation in practice depends on the competencies of the nurses and the ability of the medical institution to
provide conditions for their development.
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