AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF PATIENT COUNSELLING IN ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, PRACTICE AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG DIABETES PATIENTS

Agilesh N V*, Anju Mariya Joy, Deepak P, Rahul M

Padmavathy College of Pharmacy, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia. It is associated with abnormalities in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and may result in chronic complications including microvascular, microvascular and neuropathic disorders. Patient Counselling is a key component of Patient Care. Objective: The objective was to study the patient demographic details and evaluate the patient’s Knowledge, Attitude & Practice and Quality of Life among select Diabetic Patients and to improve them by providing Patient Counselling. Materials & Methods: An Observational study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu for a period of 6 months. 52 patients were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Knowledge, Attitude & Practice and Quality of Life were assessed using validated Questionnaires and the score thus obtained before counselling was compared with the corresponding score obtained after counselling. Results: At the end of the study, there was a significant improvement in the Knowledge, Attitude & Practice (KAP) and Quality of Life (QoL) among the patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that Patient counselling is a key part of Diabetic care. Patient Counselling stressing the importance of lifestyle Management, Drug therapy and knowledge of the disease can improve Quality of Life and prevent further Complications.

Keywords:

Diabetes, Knowledge, Attitude & Practice (KAP), Quality of Life (QoL), Patient Counselling.