A Curriculum Objectives Paper: Diabetes

Introduction

Background of the study

The practice of nursing is faced with an ever-increasing demand from society each year. This has been attributed to a rise in multiculturalism within these societies, decreasing resources relative to their demands, the need for continuity of health-care knowledge, and the ever-advancing technology (Billings and Halstead, 2009, p.1). The responsibility of ensuring that the educational outcomes of the nursing education are positive lies squarely on the shoulders of the educators. Therefore, there is a need for educational leaders in health care to devise new systems of delivering the information on health issues facing the industry to nurses and the community in general.

This curriculum objectives paper entails a discussion on the community-based approach to diabetes in the State of Mississippi that is aimed at educating key players in the field of diabetes control and the communities affected. Additionally, the paper gives a basic content outline (using the lesson plan format) to be followed by the educators during the process.

A Community-based Approach to diabetes in the State of Mississippi

According to a report by CDC, the incidences of diabetes have increased by almost 90% in the last few decades in the United States. This report was the result of a study carried out in 33 states in the United States using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system (BRFSS). The incidences of new cases of diabetes were high in States that are to the South such as California (Klonoff, 2009, par.5). To take care of the huge number of patients including children, the American Nurses Association (ANA) in collaboration with the California School Nurses Organization (CSNO) have plans in place to ensure that diabetic school-going children receive health-care services during their school days (American Nurses Association, 2009, p.1). These services include administration of Insulin which can be done by licensed school nurses, school-going patients with the parent’s or guardians’ signed permission, or any trained and licensed school employee. This approach has led to a decrease in the incidences of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes in the State.

Obesity is said to be a predisposing factor for the development of diabetes type II. In the United States, the increase in the incidences of diabetes is directly proportional to the incidences of obesity (Klonoff, 2009, par.13). In a study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity, it was discovered that there was a prevalence rate of 15% in every State for obese adults (Klonoff, 2009, par.14). However, Mississippi and two other states recorded a rate of 30%. Obese patients and especially children can be identified by health workers to give them information on ways of changing their lifestyles. This is the initiative being undertaken by the Mississippi State Department of Health through various programs aimed at getting school-going children to make lifelong healthy decisions. The program is being undertaken in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools and a branch of CDC known as the Healthy Youth Division (Summer Safety, 2010, pp.5-21).

The Basic Content Outline

Curriculum Objectives: LESSON PLAN FORMAT

Goal or Learner Outcome: The learner implements proper dieting and exercising interventions into daily practice. Upon completion of this learning unit, the learner will be able to:

• Identify risk factors that increase diabetes.
• State the principles of proper nutritional dieting habits that check obesity.
• Identify the components of an effective exercise regimen for an obesity control program.
• Participate in a program of progressive physical activity and physical education (DeYoung, 2009, pp.23-38).

Time Allotted The program would be set up using a quantitative approach with a control group, treatment groups, randomization procedures, and evaluation of independent and dependent variables. Each teaching/learning session will be two hours in length.

Objectives Provides educational opportunities to healthcare providers and the community. Identifies factors that cause obesity among the community members. Identifies ways of involving healthcare workers in the provision of physical education. Provides information on the safest ways of diagnosing diabetes and administration of insulin to diabetic school-going children and other patients. Provides the basic information on living a healthy life.

Content State the principles of proper nutritional dieting habits. Identify the components of an effective exercise regimen for an obesity control program. Identify the risk factors that increase diabetes. Participation in a program of progressive physical activity and physical education.

Instructional Methods/Teaching Strategies Use of videotapes of exercise programs and video channels. Nutritional charts on the basic food groups. Powerpoint presentations on various educational programs through overhead projection. Participants are engaged in practicals involving physical exercising. Physical exercising sessions in gyms.

Instructional Materials/Equipment/Resources Interviews with patients and their family members. Obtain online and printed materials that give information on the specifications of running a physical exercise facility. Acquire printed materials for different healthy foods and the ways of cooking them.

Evaluation Methods Understanding of the organizational aspects of the physical exercise and physical education facilities. Understanding the extent to which healthcare providers, community health workers, patients, and the community, in general, follows the guidelines provided.

Source: (DeYoung, 2009, pp.23-38).

Conclusion

The paper has provided an in-depth discussion into the prevalence rates of diabetes in the United States particularly the State of California and Mississippi. It has also provided community-based approaches towards the prevention of cases of obesity which is a risk factor for the occurrence of type II diabetes. Finally, the paper gives a detailed content outline for the curriculum objectives to be used during the educational program.

Reference List

American Nurses Association. (2009). Update on medication administration

litigation. ANA & CSNO, 2009. Web.

Billings, D.M. and Halsread, J.A. (2009). Teaching in Nursing: A guide for faculty. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders.

DeYoung, S. (2009). Teaching strategies for nurse educators. (2nd ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Klonoff, D.C. (2009). The increasing incidence of diabetes in the 21^st Century. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 3(1): 1-2.

Summer Safety. (2010). Coordinated school health: obesity and physical activity. Mississippi State Department of health. Web.