Commentary on an analysis of the existing resources in relation to education and treatment of diabetes in four European Countries: Estonia, Finland, Ireland, and Lithuania

Abstract

With diabetes at pandemic proportions worldwide (Hjelm, Mufunda, Nambozi, & Kemp, 2003), including throughout Europe (International Diabetes Federation [IDF], 2004a), both the human cost and the economic impact of diabetes are of great concern to all health care professionals. Nurses in particular can play a crucial role in caring for and educating patients with diabetes, with profound effects on both improving patient outcomes and decreasing the economic costs of diabetes (McDonald, Tilley, & Havstad, 1999; IDF, 2004b). However, evidence exists that patients may receive inadequate care because the health professionals caring for them lack the necessary up-to-date knowledge of diabetes care, a field that is changing rapidly as new treatments and counseling techniques are introduced (Chan & Zang, 2007). Burton et al. are addressing this knowledge gap through an innovative international project designed to provide online education for nurses about diabetes care, with the possibility of later using course content in regular courses. Nurses from schools in four countries are involved in planning and implementing this program: Estonia, Finland, Ireland, and Lithuania. The online courses will include content focused on counseling and education methods, as well as diabetes management, and will be delivered in each of the four languages used in the partner countries. Multiple teaching methods will be used in the online course, including lecture, Web-based learning assignments, interactive exercises, individual and group work, and online discussion. In preparation for the development of this curriculum, Burton et al. asked each of the partner schools to complete a