Communication with Chronic Patients and Patient Relatives in the Example of Diabetes Disease

• Main Authors: İzlem Kabalı, Sema Özan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association for Development of Medical Education 2020-04-01
• Series: Tıp Eğitimi Dünyası
• Subjects: chronic diseases; diabetes; communication; kronik hastalıklar; diyabet
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ted/issue/52759/576901?publisher=teged

Aim: The presentation of information that is thought to be useful for physicians in communication with chronic patients and their relatives through the example of diabetes. Materials and methods: Prepared by the traditional review method. The importance of communication with chronic patients and their relatives, how to establish appropriate communication and sampling through diabetes is explained and summarized based on the literature. Results: Chronic diseases, defined as prolonged and slowly progressive diseases are the most important health problems of the 21st century. In 2015, non-communicable deaths increased, reaching 70%. Chronic diseases have not only become a problem in developed countries but have become the first health problem in all countries according to world mortality and morbidity data. Self-care of patients is as important as medical treatment in the course of treatment of chronic diseases. When chronic patients are informed and involved in the decision-making process, they can adapt more easily to medical advice, take on more self-care and their health outcomes improve. Since chronic diseases require lifelong care, this process involves difficulties for relatives of the patients, and their relatives may experience physical and psychosocial problems and may need support and care. Diabetes is one of the most complex, most important chronic diseases that require continuous health care, and, like other chronic diseases, patients and their relatives may experience similar problems. The frequency of diabetes increased by 90%, from 7.7% to 13.7% between 1997 to 2010. It ranks 8th among all causes of death in the world and causes premature deaths due to myocardial infarction and stroke. It is known that 42.4% of the population over the age of 20 have diabetes or prediabetes. Conclusions: Correct and adequate communication between physicians and chronic patients and their relatives is among the most important elements in the management of all chronic diseases including diabetes. Giving special attention to this issue in both pre- and post-graduaion medical education will also contribute to raising awareness and sensitivity on the subject and will have positive reflections on the practices.