Diab HA5 Help an individual understand the effects of food, drink and exercise on their diabetes

Overview

This standard covers providing advice and engaging in discussion with an individual with diabetes to help them understand the effects of food and drink on their diabetes. The activities described in this competence may precede the agreement of a full dietary care plan or may take place between the agreement and the periodic reviews of a full dietary plan. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. national frameworks for service delivery for diabetes
2. national guidelines on diabetes management and education
3. causes of diabetes
4. signs and symptoms of diabetes
5. normal and abnormal blood glucose and HbA1c values
6. how to monitor glucose levels, HbA1c, blood pressure
7. typical progressive patterns of diabetes
8. he importance and effects of patient education and self management
9. the psychological impact of diabetes, at diagnosis and in the long term
10. how to gather information from patients about their health
11. how to work in partnership with patients and carers
12. the social, cultural and economic background of the patient/carer group
13. the impact of nutrition and physical exercise
14. the effects of smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs
15. the effects of, and how to manage, intercurrent illness
16. how to manage hypoglycaemia
17. the medications used to manage diabetes
18. the long term complications of diabetes and when they are likely to occur
19. how to examine feet and assess risk status
20. how to monitor cardiovascular risk
21. how to monitor for renal disease
22. how to monitor for diabetic retinopathy
23. the law and good practice guidelines on consent
24. the staff member’s role in the healthcare team and the role of others
25. local guidelines on diabetes healthcare
26. local referral pathways
27. local systems for recording patient information
28. quality assurance systems
29. the process of notification for legal and insurance purposes
30. sources of practitioner and patient information on diabetes
31. contact details of local and national support groups
32. how individuals can access facilities for exercise and physical activity, education and community activities

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. work in partnership with the individual and carer in a manner which encourages open communication and an honest exchange of views
2. assess through discussion
1. the individual’s understanding of their diabetes
2. their understanding of the effects of eating, diet and physical activity on their diabetes
3. gather information on the individual’s patterns of eating, diet and patterns physical activity, according to the local protocol
4. provide information, where appropriate, to help the individual improve their understanding of the effects of eating, diet and physical activity on their diabetes
5. identify with the individual any potential basic changes to their patterns of eating, diet and exercise which
1. will assist in the management of diabetes
2. will ensure continued good nutrition
3. meet the individual’s needs and preferences
6. support the individual in carrying out any changes that will benefit their health, acknowledging their  achievements when they have been successful, and provide encouragement when they have encountered difficulties
7. refer the individual for agreement or periodic monitoring of an individualised  dietary care plan, in accordance with local protocols
8. make a record of the key points of discussions with the individual, that can be followed by other members of the care team, the individual and the carer

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB4 Enablement to address health and wellbeing needs