Telephone communications between diabetes clients and nurse educators.
The purpose of this study was to describe the use of telephone communications between diabetes nurse educators (DNEs) and their clients with diabetes. A questionnaire was designed to examine the use of the telephone with diabetes clients from the perspective of DNEs. A total of 465 DNEs across the US were selected using a systematic sample from the membership directory of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. A total of 247 were questionnaires completed and returned (55%). Ninety-one percent of DNEs reported using the phone with clients and averaged 15 phone calls per week. Over 90% frequently reported discussing the following topics with clients: home blood glucose monitoring, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, insulin use, and diet. Analysis of telephone users showed that DNE experience and diabetes educator certification were significant factors in the differences observed in the reported topics discussed over the telephone. These findings suggest the need for guidelines for telephone contact with diabetes clients.
Leggett-Frazier
N
N
The Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina (Ms Leggett-Frazier)
Swanson
M S
MS
The Department of Surgery, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina (Dr  Swanson)
Vincent
P A
PA
East Carolina University School of Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina (Dr Vincent, Professor Emeritus)
Pokorny
M E
ME
The Department of Adult Health Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina (Dr Pokorny)
Engelke
M K
MK
The De­partment of Community and Mental Health and Nursing Administration, Greenville, North Carolina (Dr Engelke)
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone