How to Teach a Non-Compliant Diabetic Patient
Failure to comply with a diabetes treatment regimen can lead to life-threatening complications. While you can't force a diabetic patient to follow through with treatment goals, you can make it more likely by using constructive teaching techniques. Encourage diabetic patients to take control of their situations with a focus on maintaining emotional and physical health.
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Instructions
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Stress the importance of compliance. Give details about the physical and emotional benefits of adherence to a therapeutic regimen. Let patients know that diabetes is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly. Explain that taking preventative measures can reduce the risk of harmful complications, including amputation, hospitalization and death.
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Provide emotional support throughout the educational process. Understand that diabetic patients may feel a variety of adverse emotions, including depression and helplessness. Combat negative feelings by approaching noncompliance issues with compassion. Help noncompliant patients see that your goal is to help them deal with their diagnosis.
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Eliminate barriers to active compliance. Ask open-ended questions to identify reasons for noncompliance. Common issues include being unable to afford or pick up diabetic medications and ignorance about proper medication storage methods. Listen without making negative judgments, as doing so can cause frustration. Find ways to help noncompliant patients overcome issues. Examples include helping a patient access low-cost or free medications.
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Incorporate fun activities into lesson plans. Creating an enthusiastic atmosphere makes patients more likely to approach their goals with optimism. It also combats boredom and challenges them to be an active part of their treatment. Play engaging trivia games to review important information. Host cooking demonstrations that focus on diabetic-friendly meal ideas.
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Offer incentives for compliance. Motivate patients to meet challenges with positive reinforcement. Suitable incentives include offering small prizes for attending sponsored classes, or rewarding certificates to patients who pass specific milestones.
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Tips & Warnings
Establishing a positive rapport with family members can assist in your educational efforts.
Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions when it concerns diabetic regimen compliance. Sometimes patients need extra encouragement to meet their treatment goals.
