‘ Nurses make a difference! ’ It is with this motto that World Diabetes Day is celebrated this year, on 14 November. As always happens, commemorating this World Diabetes Day usually serves to draw attention to the prevention and treatment of the disease , by showing that the person with diabetes is no different from the others. But this year, marked by an unprecedented health crisis worldwide, during which health professionals were protagonists, November 14th will be dedicated to nurses who are dedicated to supporting and caring for all those who live with diabetes. Nurses currently represent more than half of the global health workforce . Teaching, care, attention and so often affection for sick people depend on them, whatever the context of care provision in which they exercise their profession. People with diabetes depend a lot on this support from nurses, to learn to live with the disease and to face the challenges of a normal life with diabetes. The concept of health education started, moreover, precisely with nurses and their patients with diabetes. With the number of people with diabetes increasing exponentially worldwide, the role of nurses becomes increasingly important in managing the impact of this disease and in training and learning the right behaviors . With the right experience, nurses can make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes. Nurses play a key role: In the early diagnosis of diabetes, which guarantees immediate treatment; Teaching self-management and psychological support to people with diabetes, to help prevent complications from the disease; In combating risk factors for type 2 diabetes, to help prevent the disease. At Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, for example, where there is a nursing consultation dedicated to people with diabetes practically since the hospital opened its doors, the results of this work are visible: 20 376 diabetes nursing consultations were held; Of these, 1358 were made in the context of internment; 86 group education sessions were held, involving 561 people; In a COVID-19 pandemic period, the diabetes nursing team carried out 964 consultations, 423 of which in teleconsultation. To all nurses who care for and support people with diabetes , in particular the nursing teams at Hospital Beatriz Ângelo and Rede Hospital da Luz, thank you very much! November 14, 2020 is your day.
