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World diabetes day 2020: How do nurses make the difference?

Nurses currently account for over half of the global health workforce. They do outstanding work to support people living with a wide range of health concerns. People who either live with diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition need their support too.


International Diabetes Federation

How do nurses approach diabetes care on both sides of the Atlantic?

World DIabetes Day 2020 teaser image

11-13-2020 | World Diabetes Day 2020 | Podcast | Article

World Diabetes Day 2020: Why nurses make the difference

Sharon Tovey joins Editorial Board member Lori Berard to compare and contrast how nurses are making the difference to people with diabetes in the UK and North America, respectively (14:51).

Views from the clinic

How do healthcare professionals and people with diabetes feel about the impact of nurses?

Browse the testimonials below by swiping horizontally on mobile devices 

  • I have been engaged in diabetes care in the Kenyan setup for over 20 years. I witnessed first-hand the important role that nurses play in imparting self-management education. The lack of health educators necessitates that nurses take up this role. More than that, they also come in very handy in diabetes self-management support as they are often the most accessible and have closer contact with patients with diabetes. In centers where there are no counsellors or psychologists, nurses often double up to offer psychosocial support to patients with diabetes. Many patients will often develop a rapport with nurses and often it is the nurses who in turn communicate sensitive matters that patients need addressed by clinicians.

    Atieno Jalang'o 
    Clinical officer, IDF Diabetes Education Regional coordinator for Africa

    Read the full view from the clinic

  •  Uttarakhand is a hilly state in India, with a difficult terrain that challenges provision of accessible and affordable healthcare to people of our state. Our nurses have compassion, commitment, conscience, confidence, and competence in diabetes care and work in a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care to people living with diabetes.

    Professor Suresh K. Sharma
    Dean of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences

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  • Talking to a nurse expert in diabetes-- this was great when I was diagnosed and I trusted her advice and followed it. 18 months later my HbA1c is 39, it proves I was right to listen and trust her!

    Person in their 50s, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 18 months ago 
    United Kingdom

  • Diabetes nurse educators have been a massive resource to help me manage diabetes. I get a strong nudge when needed and an abundance of information on diabetes tools and how to use them. Without nurses on my diabetes team I would not have had successful pregnancies and be 35 years complication-free.

    Person living with type 1 diabetes 
    North America

  • Talking to someone who understands the struggles that I have with my diabetes, I can ask her anything.

    Person with type 1 diabetes for 20 years
    United Kingdom

  • My diabetes nurse educator is and has been a HUGE factor in my success of living with type 1 diabetes. She’s always kept me informed of the newest advances in all diabetic care treatments and has been my go-to with any questions or concerns I’ve ever had.

    Person living with type 1 diabetes for 49 years 
    North America

  • It's good to talk to an expert that I can ask questions to.

    Person in their 60s with type 2 diabetes and complications 
    United Kingdom

  • A diabetic nurse (or my diabetes nurse educator) walks with their patient through each step of their diabetes journey, meeting them where they are. My nurse offered specific expertise in both the physical and psychological milestones along the way. She is a lifesaver!

    Person living with type 2 diabetes
    North America

  • [My diabetes nurse] tells me all of the latest research in diabetes, which shows me how to better manage my diabetes.

    Person in their 50s with type 1 diabetes
    United Kingdom

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