Health education in diabetic population: Current practice and future challenges.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to discuss the role of health education, self-management and multidisciplinary approach and how they can improve to produce a framework for better practice. Diabetes is a growing problem in all over the world. It is associated with severe complications if it is not adequately controlled. Diabetes patients need to develop a range of com-petencies that allow them to take greater control over the treatment of their disease. This requires education that promotes health whilst respecting individuals' self-perceived needs and voluntary choices. However, such concept is not new in the field of diabetes; health professionals are still struggling with how to administer it successfully. Diabetic patients can be educated toward greater autonomy, but all health professionals are not ready to work in partnership with them. This review indicates that there are number of important changes which need to be taken. There is a need to gain better understanding of diabetes management and theoretical principles underlying patient empowerment and education. In order to achieve better outcomes and effective health care services, collaboration of different health care professional working in different setup is required.