Related Experiment Videos
Diabetes nurse educators and preconception counseling
Brenda Michel1, Denise Charron-Prochownik1
1Lincoln Land Community College, Nursing Department, Springfield, Illinois
The Diabetes Educator
|January 28, 2006
Summary
Diabetes nurse educators need training in preconception counseling (PC) for adolescents with diabetes. Most educators lacked PC training and did not routinely offer this vital care to female patients of childbearing age.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescents with diabetes require specialized preconception counseling (PC) to ensure optimal health outcomes.
- The role and preparedness of diabetes nurse educators in providing PC to this population are not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current role, practice, and training status of diabetes nurse educators regarding preconception counseling for adolescents with diabetes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
- Data were collected from 2003 registered nurse members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators via a web-based instrument.
Main Results:
- A majority of surveyed diabetes nurse educators acknowledged awareness of PC but reported a lack of formal training.
- Thirty percent of respondents did not routinely provide PC to adult female clients, and 40% did not offer it to adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes nurse educators would benefit significantly from enhanced instruction in preconception counseling.
- Training should be implemented to equip educators to provide PC to all female patients with diabetes of childbearing age, beginning at puberty.