The Effectiveness of Education in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients

The Health Belief Model Approach in Diabetic Foot Management: The Effectiveness of Education for Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients

Diabetes is a significant health problem affecting approximately half a billion people worldwide, reaching alarming levels. Diabetic foot ulcers are among the most common and serious complications of diabetes. Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure, and diabetic nephropathy is identified as a major risk factor for foot ulcers and amputation. The health belief model is a model that explains behavior. Focusing on the necessary motivational resources for the development of positive health behaviors in individuals is crucial for positive patient outcomes in the education of diabetic hemodialysis patients. It is necessary for hemodialysis nurses to educate diabetic patients on foot care knowledge, improve foot care behaviors, and prevent the development of foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations. However, the lack of studies in the literature on nurse-led foot care education interventions based on the health belief model for diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis constitutes the strength and unique aspect of this study. The research will be conducted using a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design.

Diabetes is a significant health problem affecting approximately half a billion people worldwide, reaching alarming levels. Diabetic foot ulcers are among the most common and serious complications of diabetes. Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure, and diabetic nephropathy is identified as a major risk factor for foot ulcers and amputation. The health belief model is a model that explains behavior. Focusing on the necessary motivational resources for the development of positive health behaviors in individuals is crucial for positive patient outcomes in the education of diabetic hemodialysis patients. It is necessary for hemodialysis nurses to educate diabetic patients on foot care knowledge, improve foot care behaviors, and prevent the development of foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations. However, the lack of studies in the literature on nurse-led foot care education interventions based on the health belief model for diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis constitutes the strength and unique aspect of this study. The research will be conducted using a randomized controlled pretest-posttest design. The study population will consist of diabetic hemodialysis patients in the hemodialysis units of Firat University Hospital and Fethi Sekin City Hospital, and in the Private Elazığ Dialysis Center. The sample will consist of 50 individuals in total, 25 for each group (experimental and control) determined by power analysis. Individuals will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Research data will be collected using a Personal Information Form, the Diabetic Foot Knowledge Scale, the Foot Care Behavior Scale, and the Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale. The research will determine how diabetic foot care training, prepared according to the Health Belief Model, affects the foot care knowledge levels, foot care behaviors, and self-efficacy of diabetic hemodialysis patients. Based on the results obtained, the aim is to increase the importance of foot care in the treatment protocol of diabetic patients in hemodialysis units.

Inclusion criteria:

• Voluntary participation in the study
• Literacy
• Absence of psychiatric distress
• Being over 18 years of age
• Open to communication and cooperation, no speech problems
• Receiving continuous hemodialysis treatment
• Having been diagnosed with diabetes for at least 6 months

Exclusion criteria:

• Unwillingness to participate in the study or desire to withdraw from the study
• Receiving acute hemodialysis treatment
• Being under 18 years of age
• Open to communication and cooperation, no speech problems