Diabetes educators at Hamad General Hospital.
DOHA: Every patient diagnosed for diabetes at Hamad General Hospital’s new Diabetes Center is introduced to a patient educator and given expertise advice on lifestyle.
Specialist nurses and certified diabetes professionals teach patients how to live well with the disease.
Diabetes is a complex condition which can lead to debilitating long-term complications and acute illness.
With about 17 percent of the Qatari adult population thought to have diabetes, and another 11 percent estimated to be pre-diabetic, the disease has reached epidemic proportion in Qatar.
Hamad General Hospital’s Diabetes Center has eight adult diabetes educators and Manal Othman, Senior Diabetes Educator, says that good diabetes care and management can prevent or delay the onset of complications. “We work closely with our patients to set goals for maintaining their blood sugar level, and we meet with them regularly to check if they are meeting these goals and maintaining them,” said Othman.
Educators also teach diabetes patients on how to use their medication, whether it is in the form of tablets or insulin injections, and how to adjust the dosage depending on their blood glucose level.
“We help our patients learn how to recognise the symptoms of high and low blood sugar levels and what to do when they suspect complications,” says Othman.
She said that most patients don’t carry a blood sugar meter with them so it is important for them to know the symptoms of possible complications, such as hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar).
Diabetes patient educators also instruct patients on how to incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle and they stress the important role exercise plays in controlling blood sugar.
According to Othman, patient educators develop a teaching plan according to each patient’s individual needs, as needs differ from one patient to another and also differ for men and women.
Patient education also covers diabetic foot care, travelling, haj and fasting. Othman says patient educators also teach about herbal remedies.
“Patients can use natural herbs like cinnamon, fenugreek, Indian cucumber and olive leaves to reduce blood sugar levels. However, we advise them not to take any commercial products, even those that claim to be 100 percent natural, since these products may contain dangerous chemicals,” says Othman.
The Peninsula
