Diabetes is predicted to be one of the epidemics of the coming years, a reflection not only of our genetic pattern but also of our socio-cultural environment, which favours an unbalanced and excessive diet and the constant decline in the practice of physical activity.

A diabetic is a “patient with several illnesses”, which is to say, Diabetes Mellitus entails a risk of development of various macro- and micro-vascular complications requiring multidisciplinary intervention.

The HPA Health Group has created a multidisciplinary structure that aims to integrate and support diabetics in their own illness, consequently achieving a better adhesion to pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical measures and consequently improve its metabolic control, thus trying to avoid the inherent complications.

In this way, education of patients also constitutes a pillar of the Day Hospital, where group as well as individualised sessions are given.

Implementing a nursing consultation for Diabetes has emerged as a viable primary healthcare project, answering to the necessities of various clients in our community, promoting its acceptance and building a good patient-family relationship, in harmony with the objectives and strategies outlined by the politics of health for the problem of diabetes.

The nursing consultation functions in connection with the medical consultation, which guides the patients to training, namely to control and register glycaemia, what to do in cases of hypoglycaemia and the use/self-administration of insulin, relying on demonstration and interrogation teaching methods, assessing comprehension and retention of the message, and interacting with the patient where doubts and fears can be demystified.

In order to successfully control diabetes, a set of factors is necessary, such as: adjusted medication, regular physical exercise and a proper, personalised diet. However, for this set of factors to produce a result, it is always necessary to have periodic monitoring by a multidisciplinary team made up of a doctor, nurse, podiatrist, nutritionist, physiotherapist and of course, the diabetic him/herself.

Following the consultation with the doctor, it is of the utmost importance that a nutritionist monitors the diabetic. During this follow-up, several strategies are given and a dietary plan that is adequate for the individual necessities of each patient is drawn up. Eating habits, tastes, lifestyles, analytic values and prescribed medication are taken into consideration. Continuity of this monitoring has shown to be a fundamental factor for the successful management of the disease.

The training as well as frequent dietary adjustment in accordance with medication and exercise are of extreme importance for good metabolic control, the objective of which is to increase confidence and security, so that the individual can deal with day-to-day difficulties.

With the Day Hospital, diabetics will have the opportunity to clear up their doubts whenever necessary and actively collaborate in the control of the disease. This will also be a place where they can attend dietary training sessions and share their experiences and difficulties with other diabetics.

For more information please contact Grupo HPA Saude at (+351) 282 420 400.