Choosing a Theory or Model for Program Planning, Essay Example

Model, Turner, Hunt & Perko, (2008) emphasizes on the contribution of trans-theoretical model in realization of success in the management of diabetes. This is attributed to the high affinity of motivation that is required of skilled providers of health care as well as the clients in the management of diabetes. Cases of diabetes have been on increase and patients are persuaded to adhere to the recommendations and guidelines that are offered by health care providers (Cowie, et al., 2006).  The objectives of healthcare practitioners are to help the patients to achieve optimal levels of controlling their blood glucose. Empowering the patients to stick to the guidelines and recommendations given by health practitioners is crucial. Self management practices in diabetes require a careful selection of appropriate behaviors that will facilitate effective management of disease. Empowerment of patients to uphold skills of self care is a vital process in diabetes education among patients. Consequently, it is appropriate to choose a model that will guide in the management of diabetes.

The trans-theoretical model will be utilized to address this problem. The fundamental tenets associated with trans-theoretical model explain the persistence of individuals in a continuum of preparedness for behavioral transformation and are ready to persist in the continuum over the entire cycle in a spiral style involving a prospective and plausible forward and backward movement in the cycle occurs. Model, Turner, Hunt & Perko, (2008) explained that trans-theoretical model had been applicable in myriad of areas, as a guide of implementation of new knowledge. The phases associated with such a transformation entail pre-contemplation stage, the stage of contemplation, preparation stage, action stage and lastly, maintenance.

Pre-contemplation stage is associated with the unwillingness of people to change their unhealthy behaviors with majority of people being uninformed pre-contemplators. This implies that, people lack awareness of the need for change in behavior or people are informed about diagnosis but lack sufficient information on implications of diabetes (Jones et al., 2003). Other people are resistant pre-contemplators while others are defeated pre-contemplators.

The stage that follows after pre-contemplation is contemplation which is characterized by unwillingness of patients to plan for an immediate behavior change but they are likely to change after a period of six months. This is then followed by preparation stage that involves planning to embrace change in the near future. The next stage is associated with action and involves patients who have complied with behavior change over the last six months. The last stage involves maintenance and entails patients who have been practicing behavior change for not less than six months.

Successful application of trans-theoretical model in management of diabetes is best achieved through grouping the patients according to the stages discussed above in consideration of patient’s behavior towards diabetes management. Active role of appraisal of change at each stage and the readiness of the patient to comply are also imperative considerations during the initial and final stages of interventions aimed at enhancing behavior associated with respective stage. The superlative rationale behind determination of the patient’s stage of readiness to embrace behavior change is intervention aid in the transition from the present stage to a more advanced stage. The primary objective involves designing an appropriate program for education and intervention that will be consistent with the existing stage so that optimal benefits can be derived. Improvements of diabetes-related behaviors on the basis of these stages have the are achievable according to Kirk, Mutrie, Maclntyre & Fisher. (2004).

References

Cowie C.C., Rust K.F., Byrd-Holt D.D., Eberhardt M.S., Flegal K.M., Engelgau M.M., et al. (2006). Prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in adults in the U.S. population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care, 29, 1263-1268.

Jones H., Edwards L., Vallis T.M., Ruggiero L., Rossi S.R., Rossi J.S. (2003). Changes in diabetes self-care behaviors make a difference in glycemic control. The Diabetes Stages of Change (DiSC) Study. Diabetes Care, 26, 732-737.

Kirk A.F., Mutrie N., Maclntyre P.D., Fisher M.B. (2004). Promoting and maintaining physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(4), 289-296.

Model. Hill, L., Turner, L. W., Hunt, S. B., & Perko, M. A. (2008). Managing Diabetes: Use of  the Transtheoretical Model. Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society. 43 (1), 6-7.