Introduction
Nursing theories provide an important foundation for decision-making in patient care. Thus, exploring relevant nursing theories can uncover valuable insights into care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Firstly, the theory of a patient-centered approach to nursing was introduced by Faye Abdellah in 1960 (Mudd et al., 2020).
Main Body
Nursing theory focuses on building trustful relationships with patients to acquire more accurate information about patients’ care needs. The theory was based on Abdellah’s experience and presented a shortened and more effective version of the earlier system of patient care principles used for nurses’ education. Thus, the theory prioritizes considering different patient characteristics in addition to physical aspects to provide a better quality of care and improve outcomes. Therefore, the theory uses a holistic approach to patients’ needs in paying attention to patients’ sociological and emotional needs.
Furthermore, considering the theory’s application to the project, patient-centered care plays a vital role in type 2 diabetes care. Implementation of diabetes care includes such measures as diets, physical exercises, and lifestyle changes. The outcomes of care in patients with type 2 diabetes highly depend on patients’ adherence to recommendations. The compliance of recommendations with the patient’s personal preferences highly increases the chances of adherence to the care plan, resulting in effective management of blood sugar (Petroni et al., 2021). However, the theory has a weakness in increasing the cost of medical services due to an individual approach to each client. Thus, applying the theory of a patient-centered approach to nursing is essential in discussing care for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Next, the self-care deficit nursing theory can also be applied to the project. The theory was introduced by Dorothea Orem in 1971 and prioritized developing patients’ ability to do more of their care (Mudd et al., 2020). Self-care plays an essential role in the management of diabetes and adherence to recommendations. On the one hand, the theory allows for reducing nurses’ workload and improving the overall quality of care. On the other hand, poor adherence to self-care strategies can result in negative health outcomes and higher risks of diabetes complications (da Rocha et al., 2020). Therefore, the application of the nursing theory to the project emphasizes the importance of patients’ health education and involvement in care.
Lastly, the nursing theory of cultural care can be successfully applied to the project. The transcultural nursing theory was first introduced by Madeleine Leininger in 1985 (Mudd et al., 2020). Cultural care theory suggests that patient care should be aligned with their cultural values and beliefs. The theory’s relevance in the age of globalization presents one of its main strengths. However, the theory requires significant time and resources to develop nurses’ extensive knowledge about different cultural approaches to health, which can be perceived as a weakness. In terms of diabetes care, cultural differences can contribute to increased risks of type 2 diabetes and affect patients’ adherence to recommendations. For example, Aguayo-Mazzucato et al. (2019) defined sociocultural factors such as low income and low access to education as a result of higher risks of insulin resistance in the Hispanic population of the U.S.
Conclusion
The discussion of cultural differences in care is especially valid in patients with type 2 diabetes because it disproportionally affects ethnic and racial minorities (Thornton et al., 2020). Therefore, the cultural care nursing theory can be directly connected to the project focusing on type 2 diabetes in modern patients.
References
Aguayo-Mazzucato, C., Diaque, P., Hernandez, S., Rosas, S., Kostic, A., & Caballero, A. E. (2019). Understanding the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in the Hispanic population living in the United States. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 35(2), 1-40. Web.
da Rocha, R. B., Silva, C. S., & Cardoso, V. S. (2020). Self-care in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review. Current Diabetes Reviews, 16(6), 598–607. Web.
Mudd, A., Feo, R., Conroy, T., & Kitson, A. (2020). Where and how does fundamental care fit within seminal nursing theories: A narrative review and synthesis of key nursing concepts. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(19), 3652-3666. Web.
Petroni, M. L., Brodosi, L., Marchignoli, F., Sasdelli, A. S., Caraceni, P., Marchesini, G., & Ravaioli, F. (2021). Nutrition in patients with type 2 diabetes: Present knowledge and remaining challenges. Nutrients, 13(8), 1-23. Web.
Thornton, P. L., Kumanyika, S. K., Gregg, E. W., Araneta, M. R., Baskin, M. L., Chin, M. H., Crespo, C. J., de Groot, M., Garcia, D. O., Haire-Joshu, D., Heisler, M., Hill-Briggs, F., Ladapo, J. A., Lindberg, N. M., Manson, S. M., Marrero, D. G., Peek, M. E., Shields, A. E., Tate, D. F., & Mangione, C. M. (2020). New research directions on disparities in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1461(1), 5–24. Web.