Diabetes in the Pediatric Population - Essay Example

? Diabetes in the Pediatric Population Task Epidemiology of Diabetes in Pediatric Population Diabetes is a medical disorder thatcauses a patient who in this case is a child to suffer from excess thirst while he or she produces a large amount of urine. The disease affects children from the age of seven and onwards. It could persist to adulthood if not treated and brings with it chronic diseases such as heart problems and high blood pressures (Vandemark, 2007). Epidemiology of diabetes in pediatrics involves studying the distributions, patterns of health related events, their characteristics along with their influence on children in question. It provides the basis for research in the field of diabetes since it assists in making decisions concerning policy and medicine based on evidence (Afaf, 2007). The evidence is usually obtained after the identification of different factors of risk for diabetes and goals for the preventive medicines. The people working in the field of epidemiology are involved in designing various studies, collecting and analyzing statistical data along with the elucidation and dissemination of the results. The field uses reviews among peers and systematic reviews, which are occasional in these activities. Epidemiology involves the studies that investigate outbreaks, surveillances on diseases such as diabetes along with screening of medicine, bio monitoring and comparing the effects of treatment among children in different clinical assessments (Vandemark, 2007). The field of epidemiology relies on other scientific authorities like biology, biostatistics, exposure assessments and social sciences. The field of biology is utilized for purposes of comprehending the disease known as diabetes in a better manner while biostatics helps the professionals to make appropriate use of the available data in reaching appropriate decisions. On the other hand, the field of social sciences is usually helpful in understanding and measuring proximate and distal factors of risk. Epidemiology is used in the modern world in covering descriptions, causes of diabetes and health conditions that are related to diabetes such as obesity and high blood pressure in juveniles (Delaune & Ladner, 2002). Steps and Methods of Epidemiology of Diabetes The field of epidemiology involves the execution of various steps that guide actions in the diabetes segment. Firstly, it involves detecting the occurrence of diabetes among children and detecting the health threats they pose to the public at large. It then concerns itself with the detection of diabetic cases, which is often referred to as case finding (Vandemark, 2007). The monitoring of the disease trends among the children follows closely after which the practitioners monitors individuals who might have been exposed to it for symptoms. After monitoring children for the symptoms, they are given treatment for the different complications that have developed in them. The direction of interventions on diabetes follows, and it leads to the evaluation of these interventions. Finally, the generation of hypothesis to instigate further evaluations on the above symptoms and consequences takes place (Evelyn & Melanie, 2002). The field of epidemiology utilizes several methods when studying diabetes outbreaks along with their consequences on children. It uses methods such as field studies, laboratory experiments, observation, scientific methods and case studies in obtaining, evaluating and distributing of information regarding the outbreaks. A field study involves the measurement of certain variables, estimating parameters within the children and performing statistical tests on the formulated hypothesis. It involves making comparisons between children to approximate accurately the extent of association between certain causal factors and the disease in question (Vandemark, 2007). The method has the goal of establishing a cause and effects relationship between single and multiple factors with the ailment. The scientific method entails a continuous sequence that revolves around creating hypothesis that would in turn bring an adjusted and newer hypothesis. The experimental and observational studies also form a vital method that epidemiologists use. The experimental study involves trials in clinics and health interventions to help fight a problem through the investigators manipulation of the factors on study. Using observational studies, none of the factors under consideration is manipulated by the investigators. In this case, the investigators are only able to choose conditions that will be suitable for their studies (Evelyn & Melanie, 2002). The use of experimental studies involves the division of the children into subgroups whereby some receive treatment whereas others do not. The ones that go untreated usually act as a control for the experiment in progress. The process of selecting samples within the groups is usually random. In addition, the summary of the measures in the responses is used to compare the groups under survey. Under the observation method, there are three widely utilized methods that are applicable in the field of epidemiology which includes the cohort, case control and the cross sectional studies (Patricia & Anne, 2002). The cohort focuses on the selection of two children who have no diseases whereby one is usually exposed to the diabetes causing factors whereas the other is not. The specimens’ behavior and health are usually monitored over time, and any changes in their status are put down for the respective period. The case control study involves selecting adequate children, some with diabetes whereas others do not have it. Their positions with regard to the risks involved are then selected. Finally, in the cross sectional studies samples of the children, one sample is picked up for examination purposes some time to determine whether it has elements of the disease in its system. The study of the cohort is the observational method that is responsible for establishing whether there exists a relationship of causes and effects. It is vital for the purposes of studying the occurrences of diseases, which are rare. Case studies have long been utilized in the field of clinical medicine for studying incidents that deal with sick children. Epidemiological Triangle of Diabetes This model is used and developed by scientists for the purposes of carrying out studies based on various health issues and in this case, diabetes. It helps in the comprehending diabetes that is infectious in relation to how it is spread. This triangle also gives one a chance of applying scientific models to various situations. This triangle usually has three corners, which represent the agent, the host and the environment respectively. The agent in this instance is usually the disease causing factors whereas the host refers to the child responsible for harboring the disease. On the other hand, the environment refers to the factors, which are external and cause the diabetes causing organisms to be transmitted (Evelyn & Melanie, 2002). Epidemiology Used For Diabetes in Pediatric Population The type of epidemiology applicable in my topic is the descriptive type. The descriptive type studies the distributions of events related to diabetes problems. It has been used in describing specific outcomes, comparisons along with differences in various dimensions. The study involves the observation of occurrences in diabetic issues and making comparisons through groupings based on gender, neighborhoods, environmental exposures and many others (Patricia & Anne, 2002). The development of a hypothesis is vital in explaining the observations found in the study. A doctor may deem his explanation as correct though the field of epidemiology requires explanations that are alternatives to the already assumed decisions and conclusions. This study shares the same processes and ideas that non-epidemiologists have when they are observing or describing data. In this case, this paper will rule out explanations that serve alternative purposes before considering whether to apply a new hypothesis to the study. A common person who is involved in an epidemiology study will most likely deduce causality while ignoring the threats of validation and testing of hypothesis (Julia, 2005). The use of different approaches in the field of epidemiology creates confusion and brings tension along with misunderstandings between the society advocates and the epidemiologists dealing with diabetics. In case of an outbreak condition, this descriptive study occurs with a description of the identified issues. In the event that the outbreak of diabetes becomes a reality, a hypothesis is to be generated based on my observations and all the available knowledge at my disposal. When there is no enough information for the implementation of measures for control an alternative analytical study will be used in testing the hypothesis. The Relationship of Diabetes to Various Levels of Prevention (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary) Focusing On Nursing Specific Interventions The primary prevention mechanisms that are used when dealing with diabetes outbreaks do greatly assist in promoting health activities and eliminating the occurrences of diabetes. The study of epidemiology enables experts in the nursing field to improve on the health conditions of patients and elimination of diabetes that will cause serious repercussions for the children. The secondary prevention mechanism is used in promoting the early detection and treatment of the diabetes causing outbreaks. In addition, this prevention level allows the nurses in the medical profession to do away with disabilities that may arise from the disease in question. Finally, the tertiary level of prevention is usually aimed at rehabilitating or helping the patients in their recovery from the effects of the disease. In this case, the tertiary form of prevention will be used by nurses in the medical profession (Patricia & Anne, 2002). Watson’s Nursing Model and Diabetes in Pediatric Population This model provides seven assumptions that assist nurses in the performance of their duties. These assumptions include the effective demonstration of care and practicing it interpersonally and describe care as comprising of care factors, which lead to the satisfaction of various human needs. They also promote the acceptance of children as they are and describe the best courses of action that individuals may prefer for themselves. The final assumption made under this model is that caring is the central idea of nursing field (Evelyn & Melanie, 2002). The model also suggests that there are about ten factors, which guide the curative nature of nurses in the field. They include the creation of humanistic and an altruistic arrangement of values, its setting up, establishing sensitivity to oneself, the development of relationships based on help and trust. It also suggests that the promoting along with the acceptance of the negative and positive sentiments. The use of skills applicable from the scientific methods is also to be used in decision-making (Julia, 2005). This model also promotes learning and teaching between different children along with supplies of protective, supportive, socio-cultural environments. The model urges nurses to accept that there can be phenomenological forces that are existential, and they should be allowed among nurses within the profession. The theory contains major notions that are four and which are described as the human beings, health, the environment and the field of nursing. The model refers to human beings as people who are valued, cared for by others respected, understood, nurtured and treated as important when he is considered as a whole than a summation of human parts (Julia, 2005). Watson defines health as a high standard of the overall mental, physical and social functions. Additionally, he defines health as an adaptive measure that maintains our daily functions. He also states that the environment has to have the elements of care and nursing which have continued to exist since time immemorial. He elaborates that this attitude of offering care to patients by nurses cannot be transferred from one generation to another generation. According to Watson, attitudes are only transferrable through the profession and create a unique way for the participants of the profession coping with their environments. Finally, Watson describes the field of nursing as being concerned about the promotion of health, the prevention of diabetes, giving care to the sick and helping to restore their health conditions (Patricia & Anne, 2002). The theory proposed by Watson stipulates that the nursing processes involved greatly assist in the solution of problems and the act of making decisions in their field. He states that the model is vital in making assessments, plans, interventions and evaluations in the field of nursing. The traits of the model include their logical nature, their simplicity, generality, they offer improvements on practice, and they are supported by the theoretical tasks of other humanists and developmentalists (Timber, 2009). The models strengths include their placement of clients and patients in a context similar to the ones they encounter in their families. However, it has limitations since the individual needs are given less importance and it requires additional research before its application to practice. References Afaf, M. (2007). Theoretical Nursing: Development & Progress. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Carol, T. & Lillis, C. (2001). The Art & Science of Nursing Care. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Delaune, S. C. & Ladner, P.K. (2002). Fundamental of Nursing, Standard and Practice. New York: Thomson Publishing. Evelyn, W. M. & Melanie, M. (2002). Theoretical Basis for Nursing Philadelphia. Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins. Julia, G. B. (2005). Nursing Theories- The Base for Professional Nursing Practice. Norwalk: Appleton & Lange. Patricia, P. A & Anne, P. G. (2002). Fundamentals of Nursing –Concepts Process & Practice. London: Mosby Year Book. Timber, B. K. (2009). Fundamental Skills and Concepts in Patient Care. New York: LWW. Vandemark, L.M. (2007). Awareness of Self & Expanding Consciousness: Using Nursing Theories to Prepare Nurse–Therapists. New York: Springer. Read More