NEWS
The Nurse and Diabetes was the theme for this year's World
Diabetes Day. Professor Andrew Boulton, President of the
International Diabetes Federation (IDF), explains the role of
the nurse in diabetes care.
NEWS
REPORT
The role of Diabetes Educators
"Recent estimates from the IDF show
that one in 11 (463 million) adults live
with diabetes - this is expected to rise to
578 million over the next decade, so it is
crucial there are enough nurses and allied
health professionals to support people
living with the condition.
"The World Health Organisation
(WHO) reports a global shortfall of 5.9m
nurses. Without swift action, people living
with diabetes, or at high risk of developing
it, will be more vulnerable to life-changing
complications. This World Diabetes Day on
14 November, the IDF urged governments
and healthcare organisations to invest not
only in the recruitment of more nurses,
but also in their training, so they can
provide the best possible support to
people living with diabetes because the
role of the nurse is vital to helping people
with diabetes. A survey we conducted
found that four in five nurses (82%)
believe that governments are not doing
enough to provide professional training
in diabetes care. In addition, Covid-19
has put pressure on crucial healthcare
services that support people with chronic
conditions. The ongoing pandemic has
brought much anxiety and uncertainty.
Many people living with diabetes feel
overly cautious and reluctant to leave their
homes for treatment, or they no longer
have access to their regular care because
services have been scaled back.
"Moreover, many people with diabetes
have been shielding at home, unable
even to go out to do their own shopping
or exercise outdoors, which has had a
huge psychological impact. Diabetes
nurses in many countries have been
visiting these people at home. This has
been important, not only to help people
achieve good control of their blood sugar
levels but also to provide support and
advice where needed. In many countries
where diabetes care is more advanced,
nurses play a major role in helping people
with T!D adapt to new technologies,
including insulin infusion pumps and
glucose monitoring devices, and have
been at the forefront of the development
of telemedicine for people with diabetes
"Events since the outbreak of Covid19 have stretched
healthcare resources.
To tackle this, more nurses and other
allied healthcare professionals need to be
given more opportunities to improve their
understanding of diabetes."
New generation
"Education is the cornerstone of
healthcare, with new treatments and
services developing all the time. IDF is an
advocate for the promotion of diabetes
education and best practice and is playing
its part in helping nurses and other health
professionals further their professional
development.
"As part of this year's World Diabetes
Day campaign, nurses and healthcare
professionals can freely access the IDF
School of Diabetes course on the role
of the diabetes educator. The course is
certified by the European Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Upon completion, learners earn one
EACCME credit and receive a course
certificate.
"It is our hope that this type of initiative,
along with a collective resolve to invest
further in diabetes care and the training of
nurses, will help tackle the global impact
of diabetes."
www.idf.org
Nurses are vital in the
fight against diabetes"Professor Andrew
Boulton, President of the
International Diabetes
Federation (IDF)