Role as a Nurse and Healthcare Provider, Essay Example

As a healthcare provider responding to a patient that has shown me a printout on diabetes with inaccuracies, I would first inform the patient that there are indeed reputable sources on the Internet that give accurate healthcare information. However, I would let the patient know that it is important to know what those reputable sources are and the source where the patient found the inaccurate information is obviously not one of them. I would direct the patient to use websites such as WebMD.com, MayoClinic.com or Drugs.com. I would then tell the patient that, even with finding information on reputable sites, it is important to discuss all concerns and ask questions of his or her doctors, particularly when it comes to a condition as serious as diabetes. This is because it is important to be knowledgeable about the hallmark symptoms of diabetes such as polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, as these can lead to serious complications, even without any noticeable symptoms (Hillaire & Woods, 2013). I would also let the patient know that it is important not to wait until symptoms appear if one is at high risk for the disease because of family history, obesity, inactivity, cardiovascular disease or other risk factors. A diabetes diagnosis often results from a routine examination and screening (Hillaire & Woods, 2013). In addition, I would give the patient a printout of accurate information about the disease and let him or her know that I am available to them if they have any more questions or concerns. It is important to let patients know that they can turn to their healthcare professionals whenever they feel uneasy about their health or if they are unsure about any information they have been exposed to.