The effect of problem-solving training on the counseling skills of telephonic nurse care managers.

Nurses increasingly use telephonic assessment and counseling to manage clients with a variety of chronic illnesses. This article describes a study designed to assess a group of telephonic nurse disease managers' teaching and adherence promotion skills during actual patient interactions. Nurse care managers showed improvements after training in four main counseling skills categories, with a decrease in time spent.

A randomized controlled trial to prevent glycemic relapse in longitudinal diabetes care: study protocol (NCT00362193).

Background: Diabetes is a common disease with self-management a key aspect of care. Large prospective trials have shown that maintaining glycated hemoglobin less than 7% greatly reduces complications but translating this level of control into everyday clinical practice can be difficult. Intensive improvement programs are successful in attaining control in patients with type 2 diabetes, however, many patients experience glycemic relapse once returned to routine care.

Feasibility test of a shared care network for children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: The purpose of this feasibility study was to examine primary care pediatricians and a diabetes specialty team sharing the care of children with type 1 diabetes in a structured network.

Methods: A diabetes specialty team and 3 pediatric practice groups participated in training and shared care of patients with type 1 diabetes. The diabetes team-consisting of 1 pediatric endocrinologist, 2 nurses in advanced practice, and 1 master's-prepared registered dietitian-initiated therapy and self-management training for families; pediatricians implemented maintenance therapy.

Improving the skills of health professionals in engaging patients in diabetes-related problem solving.

Introduction: Despite instruction, many patients do not employ diabetes-related self-management skills recommended by health professionals. One problem suggested by research is that many health professionals do not often use teaching and counseling skills widely considered to be effective. Among these are specific skills that help health professionals conduct adherence-related assessments, brainstorm workable solutions to obstacles, collaborate during long-term follow-up, and provide effective direct instruction.