Workshops aimed at people with type 2 diabetes mellitus taught at the Campoamor Health Center of the Alicante-General Department of Health.It is a pioneering educational program in the Valencian Community that has received a great reception from diabetic patients and the Diabetics Association of the Province.

As the Minister explained, “the main objective of this program, which began to take shape in 2006-2007 in an integral way in the department, is the self-management and self-care of patients with respect to their ailment since the prevalence of diabetes has increasedType 2 ″.Specifically, the prevalence of patients with diagnosed diabetes in the Campoamor Health Center as of December 2013 was 2,431.

Manuel Llombart stressed that “thanks to this initiative, a more sustainable health system is achieved since patients are given tools for self -management of their ailment, which eliminates unnecessary visits to the health center.In addition, the safety and self -esteem of all those who participate in this program increases exponentially. ”

On the other hand, Mª Carmen Rodríguez, nurse responsible for the workshops at the Campoamor Health Center, said that “patients are very motivated, participatory and satisfied because they are achieving greater implication and responsibility in the self -care and self -control of diabetes andThis has an improvement in your health and quality of life. ”

The Campoamor Health Center established the piloting of this program in 2012 and progressively has been implemented to the rest of the department's health centers.Currently 8 of the 11 centers have groups of patients with education workshops towards self -care with expert patients.

A total of 106 patients have received education about self -care according to the departmental program structured in individual consultations and with group workshops, which implies a coordinated and multidisciplinary work.Professionals from the different areas of health care integrating the information and training of knowledge and skills and motivating them towards a change in life and lifestyles regarding their pathology.

The objective of this program is that patients are self -sufficient in their self -care and know how to solve special situations that may arise, as well as acquire skills for the management and maintenance of their diabetes.

On the other hand, in these workshops the figure of the active patient appears, that is, he who has the ability to transmit with communication ability what he has learned in the sessions."We request collaboration to this patient when your training ends and we consider you trained to direct a group," explains Mª Carmen.

Complete training

All new diabetic patients are detected in the consultation by their nurse and become part of the program that is structured in two phases.The first, consists of 10 individualized visits with the nurse for 9 months.The second consists of three individual sessions, in which they are offered theoretical information about diabetes, and 6 group workshops that are held monthly.

Practical workshops include issues such as the pyramid of food, the importance of physical exercise, pharmacological treatment and the required care or possible complications to prevent.

The Campoamor Health Center has the collaboration of Mercedes Sánchez, president of the Association of Diabetics of Alicante, to inform and communicate the existence of this program to all associates in the province.

“For health center professionals, patients involvement, as well as patient training and searchAssets, that is, those people who, due to their knowledge and profiles, can be leaders of a group of patients with the ability to transmit and empathize with the rest of the group, ”said Mª Carmen Rodríguez.

The center turns five years

Next Friday, May 9, the Campoamor Health Center celebrates its fifth anniversary with an open day.In this way, the residents of Alicante who want to know the center can approach their facilities where guided visits to the building are going to be made throughout the day including the day center, homes and the health center and that will be guided bythe architect of the Municipal Board of Trustees and the Coredactor Architect and Director of the Works.

In addition, several family planning and recommendations workshops for anti -coagulated patients and round tables on cardiovascular risk, smokers and vaccines will be held throughout the day.Already in the afternoon, the day will close with a Forum cinema and with a tango workshop therapy for all.