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Diabetes is not just a medical problem, it is a socioeconomic challenge
Our approach is patient focused, structured around sustainable community based solutions
as building blocks to form a national solution. The key elements of our approach
is having Diabetes Nurse Educators as the main point of contact with patients, maximize
the use of information technology for education and patients’ monitoring and treatment,
and empowering the patient and the community to have ownership of the program and
sustain it.
Diabetes management and prevention requires integrated programs that involves well
informed patients, communities, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams supported
by well planned, coordinated infrastructures, sufficient funding that includes governmental
agencies, pharmaceuticals and other industries, and not-for-profit organizations.
A Community Based Diabetes Prevention and Management Model ("CBDPMM"), a patient
focused approach, was developed by
HN Consultants Ltd. (HNCL) of West Vancouver, British Columbia in association
with a team of healthcare professionals specialized in diabetes prevention and management,
and considerable input from patients and other stakeholders. The model was developed
based on the precedents and findings of
"Diabetes and My Nation". The model was implemented at the Haisla First
Nation and has achieved significant results in terms of prevention and management
of diabetes and the sustainability and ownership of the disease within the community.
We have demonstrated a successful program that integrates all aspects that affect the person with diabetes, from motivation to social support with constant monitoring by the health care professionals. It is not only the responsibility of health authorities; it is the responsibility of all stakeholders, from community leaders, educational authorities, sports and healthy living groups and industries. Empowerment of patients through culturally appropriate education, supporting the communities through establishing an infrastructure of trained healthcare providers and healthcare system, and developing long-term strategies are the key components to the comprehensive diabetes prevention and management program. This program has demonstrated that Diabetes Nurse Educators can play an integral part in the implementation of the program as the main point of contact for monitoring patients and coordinating treatment activities. They provide intimate motivational access to healthcare which permits alternative and cost effective approaches to all aspects of diabetes management. Finally, this program has also demonstrated that E-health for education and monitoring of patients, similar to our program "Virtual Diabetes Center", must be applied to sustain the quality of services as the number of people with diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate not matched by the increase in human or financial resources to deal with it.
Prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes on a national level is a massive task
for most governments worldwide. The rate of increase in the number of people diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes far exceeds available resources to these governments. Patients
and communities can play an important role to support these efforts.
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