Abstract
Abstract
Background
Managing diabetes mellitus alongside the onset and development of dementia poses many challenges, both for those living with these conditions and also their families, carers and service providers.
Aim
To describe the experiences, successes, issues and challenges of nurses when
managing adults with diabetes mellitus along with dementia.
Method
Qualitative, semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with community and diabetes specialist nurses drawn from five health and social care trusts.
Results
Four themes were identified: 1) Who’s responsibility is it? 2) Community and diabetes specialist nurses: the pivot point 3) Education to manage co-morbidities, 4) Interprofessional communication.
Conclusion
Community and diabetes specialist nurses face many challenges to support individuals living with diabetes mellitus and dementia. Sharing patient information among practitioners in different settings is critically important. Information technology could overcome the limitations of ‘silos’ of note keeping and further education to establish more effective communication and partnership working are recommended.
Background
Managing diabetes mellitus alongside the onset and development of dementia poses many challenges, both for those living with these conditions and also their families, carers and service providers.
Aim
To describe the experiences, successes, issues and challenges of nurses when
managing adults with diabetes mellitus along with dementia.
Method
Qualitative, semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with community and diabetes specialist nurses drawn from five health and social care trusts.
Results
Four themes were identified: 1) Who’s responsibility is it? 2) Community and diabetes specialist nurses: the pivot point 3) Education to manage co-morbidities, 4) Interprofessional communication.
Conclusion
Community and diabetes specialist nurses face many challenges to support individuals living with diabetes mellitus and dementia. Sharing patient information among practitioners in different settings is critically important. Information technology could overcome the limitations of ‘silos’ of note keeping and further education to establish more effective communication and partnership working are recommended.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Primary Health Care |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 16 Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- diabetes
- dementia
- community nurse
- community nursing
- diabetes specialist nurses
- district nurse
