CPD articles
Our continuing professional development (CPD) articles are designed to assist with your nursing skills and practice.
Initiating insulin therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes: a practical guide
Why you should read this article: • To reinforce your knowledge of indications and treatment regimens for insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes • To enhance your understanding of psychological insulin resistance and strategies to overcome it • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Supporting adults with type 2 diabetes is an important part of primary care nursing. Insulin therapy is key to managing hyperglycaemia and reducing the risk of long-term diabetes-related complications, so many patients with type 2 diabetes will require insulin therapy as their condition progresses. However, they may have concerns about burdensome side effects such as hypoglycaemia and weight gain or about implications for driving. They may also struggle with concordance with treatment, for example if a suboptimal injection technique leads to pain and lipohypertrophy. This article provides nurses working in primary care with a practical guide to initiating insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes, such as how to determine whether a patient needs insulin therapy, selecting the most appropriate regimen for each patient, supporting patients to overcome psychological insulin resistance and minimising common side effects.
Perinatal mental health issues: early recognition and management in primary care
It is vital to be able to identify red flags and feel confident about offering emotional support
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: reducing the risk of winter exacerbations
How to undertake a comprehensive review and interventions that community and primary care nurses can make
Promoting an inclusive approach to assessing and managing chronic wounds
Optimal wound assessment helps with effective decision-making on care and management
Infant feeding issues related to gastrointestinal conditions: assessment and management
Developing positive relationships with parents and working in partnership with them
Long term conditions: three ways to give patients the confidence to self-care
Teaching self-care can be woven into the routine conversations nurses have with patients
Role of the community nurse in supporting person-centred end of life care
Some of the challenges that community nurses may experience and how to address them
Identifying and supporting women at risk of, or experiencing, violence and abuse
Enhance your understanding of the forms of violence and abuse women and girls may experience
Recognising and managing non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
An explanation of the epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of NTM-PD
The menopause: symptoms, treatments and implications for women’s health and well-being
Enhance your knowledge of treatments and strategies available to manage menopausal symptoms
Identifying and managing patients with disease-related malnutrition in primary care
Clinical consequences and potential health and social care costs of untreated malnutrition
Applying public health theory to practice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Learn about the six essential elements of public health theory and practice