[Nurse-patient communication concerning the education of the diabetic patient: revision of a protocol]

The educational process of a diabetic patient is a long life experience. The monitoring experience of the educational activity with diabetic patients is described. Nurses working at the Diabetic Centre in Rovigo perceived difficulties in the communication with IDDM patients (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) especially at the first diagnosis of the disease and during the first patients' encounters. A thorough assessment of the nurse patient communication (analysis of the problems perceived and specific problems encountered; videotapes of nurse-patient communication and discussion with the psychologist on the verbal and non verbal communication styles adopted; discussion with the team on the content of the communication) was the occasion for modifying the information protocols. The experience involved also the nurses caring for patients in the general wards, in order to guarantee continuity in care and information between the ward and the Centre. A 'Survival Kit' for newly diagnosed IDDM patients was devised and an agreement was reached not only on contents to be taught during the first encounters but also on skills that the patients is expected to acquire and on the teaching methods.