The Role of the RN in an Interprofessional Primary Health Care Team

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT To understand the role of RN as a member of the interprofessional health care team in primary care and its effect on patient care outcomes, cost and effectiveness and provider satisfaction

Evaluation of Diabetic Patients Home Urine Glucose Testing Technique and Ability to Interpret Results

The attention of diabetes educators has focused on home blood glucose monitoring, with little attention being given to the educational needs of patients who choose to perform home urine glucose monitoring. This study assessed patients urine glucose testing technique and ability to interpret test results. A questionnaire was developed and administered by clinic nurses to 100 adults with diabetes who perform home urine glucose monitoring. Patients selected the urine testing product they used at home and demonstrated the technique using a prepared glucose solution. The nurse recorded whether patients correctly performed each step in the procedure according to product instructions. Results indicated that 61 % of patients did not perform the procedure correctly. Patients had difficulty reading package insert instructions, could not correctly read a clock, did not wait the correct amount of time before reading test results, and did not routinely keep written result diaries. This study demonstrates the importance of routine review of home urine glucose testing with the product used at home

Perceptions of the Importance Placed On Religion and Folk Medicine by Non-Mexican-American Hispanic Adults with Diabetes

The high incidence of diabetes and diabetes-related complications in Hispanic adults in the United States continues to be of concern among healthcare providers. The underutilization of screening services and early treatment centers by Hispanic adults seems to contribute to the problem. This survey examined whether religious, spiritual, and folk medicine beliefs play a role in the participants\u27 view of diabetes and treatment choices. One hundred four non-Mexican-American Hispanic adults with diabetes were surveyed using a self-report questionnaire. Results showed that 78% of patients believed they had diabetes because it was God\u27s will; 17% of patients reported using herbs to treat their diabetes. This survey demonstrates the importance of addressing religion and spirituality when dealing with the issues of disease and health in this population