title: Improving the treatment experience for patients with type 2 diabetes: role of the nurse practitioner.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in motivating and guiding patients with type 2 diabetes to self-manage their disease, achieve their treatment goals, and have a more positive treatment experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal experience; clinical studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs play a key role in educating patients and helping them understand the need for, and benefits of, improved diabetes control. Yet, achieving improved diabetes control goes far beyond sharing information. The NP can be pivotal in helping to motivate patients to be active players in their own diabetes management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs can improve the treatment experience of patients with diabetes by educating and motivating them to make beneficial lifestyle changes and commit to treatments tailored to their individual needs and expectations.
authors.affiliation: Richmond Area Health Center, HealthReach Community Health Centers, Richmond, Maine 04357, USA. bartol@gwi.net
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartol
mesh_terms: D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin