Gjorgovski Tatjana B.Sc. nurse employed at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, – Skopje, dept. sister of the Diabetes Center.
On the upcoming World Diabetes Day, November 14, and this year’s theme “Diabetes – nurses make a difference”, we talk with Gjorgovski Tatjana B.Sc., a nurse employed at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders for the role of medical nurses in dealing with diabetes in Macedonia.
- What is the role of a specially trained nurse?
Health, especially in a democratic country, largely depends on the reasonable interest and activation of the people themselves in an individual and collective sense, and anyone who contributes to the development of such interest, leads to the activation of people to take care of their own health. Fundamental responsibility of med. nurse is multipurpose: to improve health, prevent disease, restore health and alleviate the patient’s condition. The nurse has a major role in determining and implementing the desired standards of nursing practice and education.
- How much overweight is a risk factor for certain diseases and conditions?
Of course, being overweight leads to certain conditions and impaired health. Central obesity (as shown in the picture), fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure and other conditions can be the result of excessive weight gain. This group of patients is a challenge for the entire health system, and especially for nurses in their education to practice a healthy lifestyle and minimize the risk of additional diseases.
- Sister Tanja, what does a healthy lifestyle mean? What should these patients change?
Of course, lifestyle changes significantly contributes to the improvement of conditions and impaired health. Especially in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, an important role is played by a healthy diet, regular physical activity, which should be 2-3 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Every physical activity should be in accordance with the health condition of the patient, if the patient has more serious health disorders, it should be moderate, in the form of walks on horizontal paths in the open space (promenade, park).
- Can a balanced diet help alleviate certain health conditions?
Of course, the diet is very important in the overall treatment of people with diabetes and overweight. Properly balanced diet with low calorie products, without saturated fats (industrial foods, dough and cakes) will significantly affect weight regulation as well as good glycemic control.
Very often diet is associated with starvation, which is absolutely not true. The diet is essentially a proper way of eating and intake of all nutrients, balanced among themselves.
- Who and how should teach patients about proper nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle change?
The nurses have an important role in educating patients because they are link between doctor’s recommendations and their implementation. As a member of the team, they are responsible with their qualifications to successfully conduct the educational process.
- Why is patient education important?
Education can be individual and group and tailored to the needs of patients. Educating patients facilitates their understanding of their condition, giving them practical information and advice that they can easily implement at home. This makes it easier to deal with their condition.
EDUCATION IS PREVENTION.
