[Nurse-patient communication concerning the education of the diabetic patient: revision of a protocol]. / La comunicazione infermiere-paziente nell'attività educativa con il malato diabetico: modalità di revisione di un protocollo.

The educational process of a diabetic patient is a long life experience. The monitoring experience of the educational activity with diabetic patients is described. Nurses working at the Diabetic Centre in Rovigo perceived difficulties in the communication with IDDM patients (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) especially at the first diagnosis of the disease and during the first patients' encounters. A thorough assessment of the nurse patient communication (analysis of the problems perceived and specific problems encountered; videotapes of nurse-patient communication and discussion with the psychologist on the verbal and non verbal communication styles adopted; discussion with the team on the content of the communication) was the occasion for modifying the information protocols. The experience involved also the nurses caring for patients in the general wards, in order to guarantee continuity in care and information between the ward and the Centre. A 'Survival Kit' for newly diagnosed IDDM patients was devised and an agreement was reached not only on contents to be taught during the first encounters but also on skills that the patients is expected to acquire and on the teaching methods.

[The education tree. Experiences from one century of anti-diabetic treatment]. / L'albero educativo. L'esperienza di un centro antidiabetico.

The educational experience of a Diabetic Care Centre, throughout 15 years is described using the metaphor of the tree. Each course organized for different patients with different needs is a branch that contributes to the development of the tree. The importance of a common philosophy and the team work are considered pivotal for the growth and development of the educational tree. One hundred twenty-nine courses have been organized to data and 239 follow-up evaluations were performed.

[Group educational intervention in diabetic foot: the objectives, pedagogical strategies, level of knowledge and results]. / Intervento educativo di gruppo sul piede diabetico: obiettivi, strategie pedagogiche, contenuti di conoscenza, risultati.

Detailed contents and aims of an educational intervention for diabetic foot are presented, together with evaluation tools and results at 3, 6 and 12 month interval after the course. Knowledge level and "health" of the foot were assessed at 12 month interval on 2/3 of the 100 diabetic patients originally exposed to the educational intervention. After 12 months 80% of patients showed a good retention of knowledge on practical issues related to foot care, while 77% of patients with persistent foot problems were not independent (because of hypo-mobility or sight problems) in foot care.

[The methodology and planning of an educational intervention in diabetic foot]. / Metodologia e programmazione di un intervento educativo sul piede diabetico.

Diabetic foot is considered one of the most threatening and disabling complications for a diabetic patient: lesions of the extremities can become so severe that the person may risk the amputation of the toe, foot or leg. Methodology of planning and implementation of an educational intervention for the prevention of the diabetic foot is presented in its various steps: from the identification of priorities and contents to the problems and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the program.

[A proposed check on the educational role of the professional nurse with the diabetic patient]. / Proposta di verifica del ruolo educativo dell'infermiere professionale con il paziente diabetico.

The nursing personnel of a day hospital for diabetic patients selected at random two 30 patients groups out of the cohort of those who had followed an educational course in the same day hospital, and out of the cohort of first contacts with the hospital. A formal evaluation has been made on two topics: the correctness of the technical execution of various procedures, the patient's perception of the factors which could play a role in determining the quality of communication between nurses and patients. Patients who were exposed to the original course appear to perform better. Along the same line, patients of the day hospital seem to share a status of conscious acceptance of the disease and of its direct personal implications.