Research propsal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Research propsal - Essay Example Diabetes Mellitus is an incurable chronic disease and is a debilitating health problem which is increasing worldwide. Extreme outcomes can leave the person disabled causing further strain on healthcare costs due to a high incidence of amputations requiring rehabilitation programs (Dunning, 2005) The purpose of this research proposal is to investigate the attitudes and experiences of the diabetic client and to establish which factors prevent effective foot care and compliance. Thus, enhancing the nurses’ understanding of the patients perceptions of the disease and what influences their lifestyles in order to meet compliance or non-compliance toward a holistically devised treatment plan as well as establishing client autonomy to implement effective foot care are the goals of this project(Greenwood, 2000). ‘Patients with diabetes are vulnerable to damage to their feet, and minor problems can deteriorate rapidly’ (Clapham, 1997, p. 851). The successful management of diabetes requires the adherence of a patient to a prescribed self-care plan. This often presents a challenge to health care professionals in order to ensure that the plan of care is implemented. The framework for this literature review is multilevel, moving from the global aspect of diabetic complications, to the more specific aspects of patient’s attitudes and experiences in relation to education and compliance, focusing on the foot care problems experienced by the diabetic client. As the topic of diabetes and lifestyle is reviewed, it is impossible to discuss the complications and implementation of foot care without including the major intervention of patient education. Gallichan (1997, p. 100) states, ‘Diabetic foot problems are usually preventable, through education, early intervention and treatment’. On review of the articles it