The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nurse-led, home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) staging system. The study consisted of 32 patients--a nurse-led, home-based pulmonary rehabilitation group (16) and a control group (16). In the rehabilitation program, patients received education about their diseases and performed breathing exercises and lower- and upper-extremity aerobic exercises at their homes during the 3-month period of the study. There was meaningful improvement in the rehabilitation group in terms of pulmonary function tests (FEV1 % predicted value), artery blood gases (PaCO2), quality of life, dyspnea, and functional capacity. On the other hand, no meaningful change was observed in the control group. The study showed that the nurse-led, home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program had positive effects on the patients with COPD.

Aim and objective. The aims of this study were: (i) to determine the types of complementary and alternative medicine use among children with type I diabetes mellitus as reported by parents and (ii) to describe sociodemographic and medical factors associated with the use of such treatments in families residing in Eastern Turkey. Background. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a tremendously challenging and complex disease for children and families to manage. Therefore, the use of complementary and alternative medicines among children with type 1 diabetes is becoming increasingly popular. Design. Survey. Method. Parents of 100 paediatric patients (who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at least 6 months prior to the study) who visited the participating paediatric endocrinology multidisciplinary centres and clinics for diabetes management were included in the study. Data were collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire.Results. Fifty-two per cent of the parents reported the use of one or more complementary alternative medicine therapies. Most such users (59AE6%) were using oral herbal preparations; including morus alba (leaves) aloe vera and stinging nettle. Conclusion. Since we found that 78AE6% of those using herbals were satisfied with their results and 69AE2% were planning to continue use, it is important for healthcare providers to have relevant knowledge about complementary alternative medicine use and learn about its efficacy and effects (positive and adverse) of these treatments. Relevance to clinical practice. Botanical substitute for insulin seems unlikely, but complementary alternative treatments may provide valuable clues for the development of new oral hypoglycaemic agents and simple dietary agents. It is important for healthcare providers to have up-to-date knowledge about the use and effects of complementary alternative medicines in the outpatient clinical care setting.

This study aimed to determine the general self efficacy levels of students studying for undergraduate degree in nursing and to examine the relationship between skills development and self efficacy. The research was conducted in a descriptive way. The sample consisted of 100 students. Data were collected via the use of a student introduction form, Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) and an intramuscular (i.m.) injection procedure checklist; the forms were filled in by 100% of the nursing students. The mean general self-efficacy score of the students in the study was high. the self-efficacy levels of our students were high, and no correlation was observed between personal characteristics and self-efficacy; therefore, education in injection technique had the same influence on all students' self-efficacy.

Study Group for Diabetic Foot Infections of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases has called for collaboration of the relevant specialist societies and the Ministry of Health to issue a national consensus report on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetic foot (DF) wounds and diabetic foot infections (DFIs) in Turkey. In the periodical meetings of the assigned representatives from all the parties, various questions as to pathogenesis, microbiology, assessment and grading, treatment, prevention and control of diabetic foot were identified. Upon reviewing related literature and international guidelines, these questions were provided

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Background Diabetes education in Turkey is provided by diabetes nurse educators in almost all healthcare organizations. However, the education is not standardized in terms of learning content, duration, and methods. This multi-center study was performed to assess the self-care behaviors and glycemic control following education provided to the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by diabetes nurse educators. Methods This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study and included 1535 patients admitted to 28 public hospitals for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The education was assessed by using a Patient Identification Form and Self-care Scale. Results The proportion of individuals who received diabetes education within the last year was 78.5%, with 46.7% of them having received it once. Of the patients, 84.8% reported that they received diabetes education individually. It was found that the proportion of individuals who received education about oral antidiabetics (78.5%) and glucose testing at home (78.5%) was higher than the proportion of individuals who received education about exercise (58.8%) and foot care (61.6%). The status of diabetes education, education intervals, and the correlation of the education method with self-care and glycemic control was evaluated. Self-care and glycemic control levels were better among the patients who received diabetes education thrice or more and in patients who received education both individually and in a group (p < 0.05). Conclusions Approximately three-quarters of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus received education by diabetes nurse educators in Turkey. Diabetes education is positively correlated with self-care and glycemic control levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Efforts for generalization and standardized education for all diabetes patients are necessary.

Students were suggested to use critical thinking, practical approaches, and care plans, as well as revising nursing processes in order to improve their problem-solving skills and nursing process application skills.

IntroductionOver 7 million people in Turkey have diabetes. Of the 1 million who inject insulin little is known of their habits and injection techniques.MethodsWe conducted an Injection Technique Questionnaire (ITQ) survey throughout Turkey that involved 1376 patients from 56 centers. Turkish values were compared with those from 41 other countries participating in the ITQ, known here as Rest of World (ROW).ResultsThe majority (50.4%) of Turkish insulin users give four injections/ day as opposed to ROW, where only 30.9% do. The abdomen is the most common injection site used by Turkish patients, but they also inject insulin in multiple body sites more often than do patients in ROW. Body mass index values in Turkey were 0.75 units higher than those in ROW as was the mean total daily dose (average daily dose [ADD]) of insulin (54.0 IU in Turkey vs. 47.4 IU in ROW). Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in Turkey was 9.1%, which is higher than in ROW and possibly related to the higher BMI and ADD. Turkish patients use insulin analogs (short and long-acting) more frequently than do patients in ROW. The shortest pen needles (4 mm) are used by about one-third of patients in Turkey, but the longer ones (8 mm) are equally common. Needles are reused in Turkey at a rate of 3.4 injections/single needle. However, needle reuse, whether with pens or syringes, is lower in Turkey than ROW, as is the number of times a reused needle is used. More than 75% of used sharps in Turkey go into the rubbish, with nearly 6% having no protection of the tip.ConclusionThe continued use of 8-mm needles raises the risk of intramuscular injections in Turkish patients. Despite full reimbursement, needle reuse still remains an important issue. More focus needs to be given to dwell times under the skin, reconstitution of cloudy insulant, correct use of skin folds and safe disposal of sharps.FundingBD Diabetes Care.