Development and Psychometric Testing of the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale (D-CASS), a measure of how difficult or easy caregiver activity and supportive behaviors are for family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods Internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, criterion-related validity, and construct validity were examined in 101 family caregivers of persons with T2DM. Participants were recruited using study brochures distributed at a large hospital in the Midwest and at statewide American Indian Pow Wows.

Needs and Concerns of Family Caregivers of American Indians, African Americans, and Caucasians With Type 2 Diabetes.

Although type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness affecting the entire family, scant literature exists in this area. This study's purpose was to identify needs of family caregivers of persons with type 2 diabetes across cultures. Using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions, a convenience sample of 33 family caregivers of American Indians (n = 14), African Americans (n = 11), and Caucasians (n = 8) with type 2 diabetes were interviewed by telephone.

A retrospective cohort study of a nurse-driven computerized insulin infusion program versus a paper-based protocol in critically ill patients.

Background: There is variability in the extent of outcome achievement between computerized insulin infusion programs (CIIPs) and paper-based protocols (PBPs). This reported variability may be improved by intensive CIIP training prior to implementation. The objective was to evaluate the impact of a CIIP following intensive nurse training versus a PBP in a critical care setting.