Resources and tools for therapeutic education to approach obesity
Section: Originals
How to quote
Pastor Monerris A. Recursos y herramientas en la educación terapéutica para el abordaje de la obesidad. RIdEC 2013; 6(2):18-24.
Authors
Antoni Pastor Monerris
Position
Enfermero de Atención Primaria. Máster en Ciencias de la Enfermería por la Universidad de Alicante.Profesor Asociado Asistencial de Prácticas. U
Contact email: antonio.pastor1@uch.ceu.es
Abstract
Worldwide, a substantial increase in overweight and obesity has occurred in recent decades. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) reveal this is a large-scale issue. Present situation is a reflection of a gradual impairment in food quality and a low physical activity in the population as a whole, and heralds an increase in chronic diseases prevalence in the near future. In the long term, such trends will result in a reduced life expectancy and a lower quality of life.
Approaching obesity requires promoting interdisciplinary team work in order to ensure a continued ongoing care. Primary Care is the basic and initial level for care, and primary care health professionals have a well-defined profile involving individual, family and community care.
Nurses play a very important role in health education; they are the reference health professionals for patients with chronic conditions, including obesity, and are involved in the follow-up and use of resources activation.
Nurses play a crucial role in supporting self-care and accompanying self-management process to deal with diseases. Their clinical and educational profile makes them suitable for health education and for developing instructional and training activities both for the patients and their families.
Moreover, health professionals should have a significant involvement and action in the community. They should promote community mobilization and they should collaborate with the community in all steps and aspects of a prior planning or schedule, from its inception to its final assessment. Thus, networking and groups that can have an impact on other people or groups can be promoted. This will support due changes and allow them to be maintained, so that intervention becomes sustainable.
Differences between health education (HE) and therapeutic education (TE) are highlighted; novel educational methods for TE are described; and common resources and tools to promote self-care and self-management to deal with diseases and achieve an improved quality of life are reviewed.
Approaching obesity requires promoting interdisciplinary team work in order to ensure a continued ongoing care. Primary Care is the basic and initial level for care, and primary care health professionals have a well-defined profile involving individual, family and community care.
Nurses play a very important role in health education; they are the reference health professionals for patients with chronic conditions, including obesity, and are involved in the follow-up and use of resources activation.
Nurses play a crucial role in supporting self-care and accompanying self-management process to deal with diseases. Their clinical and educational profile makes them suitable for health education and for developing instructional and training activities both for the patients and their families.
Moreover, health professionals should have a significant involvement and action in the community. They should promote community mobilization and they should collaborate with the community in all steps and aspects of a prior planning or schedule, from its inception to its final assessment. Thus, networking and groups that can have an impact on other people or groups can be promoted. This will support due changes and allow them to be maintained, so that intervention becomes sustainable.
Differences between health education (HE) and therapeutic education (TE) are highlighted; novel educational methods for TE are described; and common resources and tools to promote self-care and self-management to deal with diseases and achieve an improved quality of life are reviewed.
Keywords:
Obesity; self-care; therapeutic education
Versión en Español
Título:
Recursos y herramientas en la educación terapéutica para el abordaje de la obesidad
