This document discusses tools and strategies for teaching patients with diabetes. It notes that over 25 million Americans have diabetes and many face challenges like low health literacy. Effective teaching requires assessing the patient's existing knowledge, using visual aids and demonstrations, and addressing different learning styles through verbal, written, and hands-on methods. Teaching should also utilize online resources and social support networks to help patients manage their condition.

1. Tools and Strategies for Success
Marjorie Reilly
Senior Practicum
SUNY Delhi
NURS 403, 11070
Cheryle Levitt

2. In the United States
 Thereare over 25 million people with
diabetes (diagnosed)
 Thereare over 79 presently undiagnosed
people with diabetes
 Diabetes and its costs over 218 billion dollars
annually

3.  Over40 percent of newly-diagnosed diabetics
are over 65 years old.
 Onein five Americans read below the fifth
grade level.
 Manyilliterate individuals have either
normal, or above normal intelligence.
 Theseare among the many challenges one
may face in patient teaching,

4.  Anxiety with initial diagnosis
 May have misconceptions influencing anxiety
 Assess what your patient already knows
 Begin teaching immediately

5.  Askyour patient about their learning
preferences
 Use
teach-back methods in order to assess
understanding

6. Watch for verbal and non-verbal clues
 Visual learners:
 - phrases like “ I see what you’re saying”
 - May look up and away when listening or
considering something new.

7. Watch for verbal and non-verbal clues
 Auditory learners:
 - phrases like “ Doesn’t sound right to
me, or I hear what you’re saying”
 - May look off to the side when listening or
considering something new.

8. Watch for verbal and non-verbal clues
 Kinesthetic learners
 - Phrases like “Just doesn’t feel right”
 - Used hand gestures when speaking
 - May look down when listening or
considering something new.

9.  Use pictures, graphs, videos and other visual
aids
 Flash cards
 Encourage patient to take notes
 Conversation Map

11. Use visual
tools like
this
graphic
when
teaching
injection
sites

12.  Teach the patient with a verbal narrative.
 Audio/Visual presentations.
 Read printed materials aloud.
 Group(family) instruction with discussion
and brainstorming.
 Question and answer format.

13.  National Diabetes Education Program:
Healthy Eating with Diabetes:
http://ndep.nih.gov/resources/ResourceDetai
l.aspx?ResId=380

14.  Format with both video and transcript.
 Graphic representations
 Good for all learners, especially visual and
auditory.
 How Diabetes Affects Your Blood Sugar:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-
sugar/MM00641

15.  Quiet, uncluttered environment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAIGLkS
Mls
 Well-rested, snack if needed for energy.
 Take frequent breaks (every 20 minutes)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAIGLkS
Mls

16.  Demonstration with models that can be
touched.
 Allowpatient to manipulate
supplies, especially with insulin
administration .
 Usea multi-sensory approach
(seeing, touching, doing).

17. Encourage use of these tools:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Am
ericanDiabetesAssociation

18. Encourage use of these tools:
 American Diabetes Association Message
Boards: http://community.diabetes.org/

19. The American Diabetes
Association
Resources and community tailored to specific
target groups:
 African American
 Latino
 Asian/Pacific Islander
 Native American
 http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-
community/programs/

20. Problems
 Time Constraints
 Limited Resources
 Health Literacy Limitations
Solutions
 Start Patient Teaching Early
 Be Creative
 Enlist Family Members
 Use “Teach Back” method to ensure
understanding

21. References
American Diabetes Association. (2012a). Diabetes statistics. Retrieved
from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-
statistics/
Curry, A. (2011). Visual aids for diabetes education: Can teaching tools
help people retain their lessons? Retrieved from http://forecast.
diabetes.org/magazine/your-ada/visual-aids-diabetes-education
Dille, B. (2007). Learning style Inventory. Retrieved from
http://www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/dille/brian/courses/
1100Orientation/LearningStyleInventory_survey.pdf
Huizinga, M., Elasy, T., Wallston, K., Cavanaugh, K., Davis, D., Gregory,
R., Fuchs, L., … Rothman, R. (2008). DNT sample questions.
Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-
6963/8/96/figure/F2?highres=y
Mayo Clinic. (2011). Video: How diabetes affects your blood sugar.
Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-
sugar/MM00641

22. References
National Diabetes Education Program. (n.d.). Healthy eating with
diabetes. Retrieved from http://ndep.nih.gov/resources/
ResourceDetail.aspx?ResId=380
Redman, B. (2007). The practice of patient education: A case study
approach (10th ed.). St. Louis, MI: Mosby-Elsevier.
Smart Nurse. (2011). Locating subcutaneous injection sites. Retrieved
fromhttp://smart-nurse.blogspot.com/2011/05/locating-
Subcutaneous-injection-sites.html
Smeltzer, S., Bare, B., Hinkle, J., & Cheever, K. (2008). Brunner &
suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (11th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: LippincottWilliams & Wilkins.