Date of Award

Fall 12-7-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Carolyn Coleman

Committee Chair School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Committee Member 2

Dr. Lisa Morgan

Committee Member 2 School

Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

Diabetes is an epidemic in the United States. There are three types of diabetes: type 1, 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common type of diabetes. This type of diabetes can be prevented or delayed. In persons with T2DM, the body cannot use insulin well to keep blood glucose within normal limits. Several factors, including genetics, lifestyle such as poor diet and physical inactivity, obesity, insulin resistance, hormones, and certain medications, can cause it. A precursor to T2DM is prediabetes. Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are elevated but not elevated enough to be categorized as type 2 diabetes. When prediabetes goes untreated, patients are placed at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Many complications are associated with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness, and other serious complications. Type 2 diabetes mellitus can develop at any age and affect any ethnic group. However, T2DM is more prevalent in men and African Americans. The medical expenses of a person with type 2 diabetes are much higher than a person without diabetes.

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to identify the need for prediabetes screening between 18-34 for earlier detection and treatment. It was also designed to identify those at an increased risk and may benefit from education on lifestyle changes to delay and, in some cases, prevent T2DM. Best practices for quality improvement were demonstrated for prediabetes screening in patients ages 18-34 who presented to the primary care clinic. The clinical question formulated for this DNP project used the Population/Patient Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time (PICOT) format. (P) In African Americans ages 18-34 (I) how does receiving prediabetes screening and education on self-management compared to (C) no intervention for patients, (O) increased awareness for early intervention and prevention of diabetes in high-risk patients (T) during a 4-week period? Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment can help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in persons with prediabetes and improve the health outcomes and quality of life in those with type 2 diabetes.

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