Identify a research or evidence-based article that focuses comprehensively on a specific
intervention or diagnostic tool for the treatment of diabetes in adults or children.
In a paper of 750-1,000 words, summarize the main idea of the research findings for a
specific patient population. Research must include clinical findings that are current,
thorough, and relevant to diabetes and the nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is
expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA
documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.
Diabetes
Fisher, L., & Dickinson, W. P. (2011).New Technologies to Advance Self-Management
Support in Diabetes.Diabetes Care, 34(1), 240- 243.
According to the article by Fisher and Dickinson (2011), there is a highlight regarding
how existing communication modes can be applied through new ways and use of novel
technologies can ensure improved care delivery to diabetes patients. In the article, live telephone
calls were used to administer care to a diabetes patient group that was poorly controlled. Novel
modes of interventions that are based on technology include email, web-based programs, pagers,
mobile communicators, internet, and telephone to monitor and assess the health status of
patients, address behaviors and symptoms, as well as foster changes in a number of disease
management aspects, which include improved glycemic control and better medication adherence.
The article argues clearly that these emerging systems are essential for expanding self-
management support (SMS) programs (Fisher & Dickinson, 2011). SMS is a generic term that
refers to strategies that offer patients the support, tools, and information necessary for tackling
health challenges. The use and development of a wide array of interventions that entail new
media increase evidence-based strategies for patient intervention and monitoring that consider
the patient’s cultural setting, age, and lifestyle. The underlying assumption in the use of these
DIABETES 2
programs is that they can be extremely time- and cost- efficient, sustainable, and successful as
opposed to traditional approaches. Moreover, they are more likely to access high risk populations
that are unlikely to seek the doctor’s care. The specific aim of the SMS program was promoting
medication adherence.
Diabetes management requires ongoing intervention and support. This can be a key plus
for novel technologies if incorporated and addressed within the SMS program’s outset. The
patient population is a great area of interest and, therefore, it should be defined clearly so as to
improve the outcomes, limit attrition, and increase the rate of acceptance. If SMS interventions
are tailored for particular patient groups, then there is a higher likelihood of achieving positive
results. The most appropriate target patients include those from a single ethnic originality, from a
respected union or institution; hardly attend care, and the poorly controlled. Live contact through
the use of the telephone was considered to be more effective. When novel technologies are being
used, there is a need to consider preference for and experience with different media, risks levels,
severity of symptoms or disorder, education, ethnicity, sex, and age (Fisher & Dickinson, 2011).
Since not all forms of SMS programs are compatible with all media, there is a need for a
keen selection of the medium that is best for particular patients and intervention. For instance,
IVR technology is more successful in monitoring symptoms and for care team and patient
communications that are relatively simple and short, for instance clinical status reporting.
Personal contact between the patient and care team is very vital in the beginning.
The SMS programs are independent from the regular care team. Integrated care systems
call for more informed and coordinated services in addition to patient preference and needs.
Diabetes SMS programs should be closely connected to the wider patient care systems. This
ensures that providers and patients are fully aware of the SMS activities and that there is full
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integration and coordination. Fisher and Dickinson (2011) argue that there is also a need for
considering the work flow in regard to how the system’s information will be gathered,
summarized, and applied in clinical settings.
In a nut shell, there is a dire need to provide population-based and cost-effective care that
considers personal patient needs. Hence, there is a need for care providers to be more proactive
in customizing and choosing fully- and semi-automated SMS programs that are more efficient
Reference
Fisher, L., & Dickinson, W. P. (2011).New Technologies to Advance Self-Management Support
in Diabetes.Diabetes Care, 34(1), 240- 243.