Date of Completion
Fall 12-11-2020
Project Type
Research Project
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing - Educational Leadership
Department
Nursing
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Jane Brannan
Abstract
Aims. The aim of this integrative review is to explore the impact of diabetic self-management education on reduction or delay in progression of microvascular complications in adults age 18 and older.
Background. According to the Center of Disease Control, more than 34 million Americans have diabetes. Between 90 and 95% of them have type II diabetes making it the most prevalent type of diabetes. Microvascular complications are a sad reality for people diagnosed with diabetes with poor glycemic control. Microvascular complications of diabetes are long term complications that affect small blood vessels including neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. These microvascular complications can be life-altering disease processes and cannot be reversed once the damage is done. Proper glycemic control requires knowledge, training, and practice from trained healthcare professionals. Diabetic self-management education can potentially reduce the risk for these microvascular complications by helping patients have better control on their blood glucose levels over an extended period of time.
Data Sources. Research studies that examined the relationship between diabetes self‐management education and microvascular complications in type II Diabetes were included in the literature review. The electronic databases searched include PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar.
Review Method. An integrative literature review was carried out using Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) framework for data collection, analysis and synthesis.
Results. Three themes were identified that included health literacy level, variability of participants and educational interventions and individualization of education.
Conclusion. More research is needed to determine the effectiveness of DSME in reducing and delaying microvascular complications in patients with type II diabetes.
Keywords: Type II Diabetes, Self-management education, Microvascular complications