Fostering therapeutical adherence among persons with diabetes type 2 through care continuity

Abstract

In Mexico, approximately 8.7 million persons are living with diabetes type 2 (DT2). This illness caused in a single year 70,281 deaths as well as complications-costs of around 834 dollars per person. A possible factor could be the patient’s lack of therapeutical adherence. Recent studies have reported that care continuity can produce a positive impact on the health of persons with DT2.

Case description: Persons M and P of 40 and 44 year old respectively were diagnosed with DT2 more than a year ago; while person M has been stable, person P was hospitalized in 2013 due to uncontrolled blood glucose levels.

Objective: To assess the therapeutical adherence capacity of these 2 adults with DT2 after care continuity nursing educational interventions based on Callista Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing were given at their homes.

Metodology: The case study, Physical examination and TA glycemic control were done. Three educational nursing interventions were designed.

Results: In the therapeutical adherence pre-test, low and medium percentiles of 33% and 66% were obtained. After the interventions, improvements in physical exercise (70% and 75%), physical condition (23% and 75%) and diet (86% and 87%), as well as in glucose indexes were found.

Conclusions: By favoring therapeutical adherence, the nursing theoretical model allowed the understanding and development of care continuity within the family-context, suggesting that it is an adequate strategy to improve the health of populations with DT2.