Media coverage
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Media coverage
Title Investigating the co-management of diabetes and dementia: a challenging duo Degree of recognition International Media name/outlet Dementia Research Network Ireland Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 7/01/26 Description The research topic was chosen following discussions with local clinicians working in diabetes care who indicated that helping those with both diabetes and dementia to manage their conditions was a dual challenge. The research comprises of two parts.
A scoping review of the literature.
A qualitative investigation of nurses’ views of the dual challenge.
Aim - To describe experiences and challenges when managing diabetes along with dementia from the perspectives of those living with these conditions, their informal (unpaid) carers and health care professionals.
This was conducted following recognized guidance (Arksey and O’Malley, 2005) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews. This review revealed that individuals and carers faced extraordinary challenges when trying to manage these conditions, especially activities of self-care such as taking medications, monitoring glucose levels and healthy eating. Lack of information and support with few examples of solutions to improve diabetes mellitus management in those with dementia was also reported. There was very little evidence regarding the experiences of health care professionals supporting these individuals and their informal carers, therefore this was the focus of the second part of the research, outlined below.
Aim.
To describe the experiences, successes, issues, and challenges of nurses when managing adults with diabetes mellitus and dementia.
Method.
Qualitative, semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted in May 2022 with community and diabetes specialist nurses drawn from five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. Ethical and research governance approval was obtained. Fifteen nurses participated.
Three key findings.
The management of diabetes for those with dementia is a difficult scenario for all involved.
There is a lack of clarity regarding who should be responsible of these patients.
Community and diabetes specialist nurses have crucially important roles but request further education to manage these co-mobilities and better interprofessional communication and sharing of patient information among practitioners in different settings if ‘person-centred care’ is to be achieved.
Implications.
Research for practice -There is a need to develop evidence-based care pathways for those living with T1DM /T2DM diabetes and dementia. Once a prototype has been co-designed it would then be tested for feasibility using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) (Safaeinili, et al 2019).
Education -This study’s participants suggested that training in diabetes and dementia as comorbidities should be integrated rather than provided as separate standalone courses. Overall, 25% of participants received dementia care training and 53% diabetes care, while 20% received both. Possible options include innovative methods such as virtual reality training, online and blended learning activities to make it easier for nurses to attend during working hours. They also identified the need to support families and carers with emotional care and education about each condition.
Management -Guidance in the management of these comorbidities is urgently needed to enhance health and well-being for both carers and those needing care. Information technology could overcome the limitations of ‘silos’ of note keeping such as Encompass, development of Neighbourhood District Nursing, doubled combined clinics to establish more effective communication and partnership working are recommended.
Additional Comments
This research was carried out by Florence Sharkey, Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Professor Vivien Coates, Professor of Nursing Practice Research, School of Nursing and Paramedic Science, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Londonderry, BT48 7JL, Northern Ireland.
Publications
1. Sharkey, F. & Coates, V. (2023), Managing diabetes and dementia, a challenging duo: a scoping review, Practical Diabetes, Vol 40, Issue 4, July/August, pp 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.2469, https://wchh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pdi.2469
2. Sharkey, F. & Coates, V. (2024), The challenges and successes of managing diabetes mellitus and dementia: a nursing overview, Primary Healthcare Journal, Vol 34, Issue 5, pp 35-41, https://doi: 10.7748/phc.2024.e1819, https://journals.rcni.com/primary-health-care/evidence-and-practice/managing-diabetes-mellitus-and-dementia-a-nursing-overview-phc.2024.e1819/abs
URL https://dementianetwork.ie/research-project/investigating-co-management-diabetes-and-dementia-challenging-duo Persons Florence Sharkey, Vivien Coates
Keywords
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- health care professionals
- carers