Abstract

GONZALEZ CALERO, Teresa Margarita  and  GONZALEZ PADILLA, Katrine. Therapeutic education of patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.3, pp. 231-236. ISSN 1561-2953.

Adrenal diseases have significant incidence and prevalence; they occur as acute chronic situations. Chronicity and development are both related to behaviours and lifestyles and impose therapeutic demands that lie in the decisions of the person in charge of the patient care. This chronic condition may appear without any symptom and requires an active responsible person for daily care of patients, capable and trained in disease requirements and in necessary therapeutic adjustments, and prepared to act when an acute event occurs. The health care providers should set a therapeutic contract with the patient. This fact requires "know-how" that includes biosocial approach, communicative dexterities and teaching/learning techniques, which are as necessary as the clinical update. The acute adrenal insufficiency may present de novo or results from wrong management of already known chronic condition. There are several causes such as the involuntary omission of medical drug or the concomitant development of a precipitating infective or non-infective illness, which are the most common. The patients suffering chronic adrenal insufficiency need education so that they may be able to acquire new pieces of knowledge, skills and behaviors that allow taking right decisions in the face of possible decompensation.

Keywords : therapeutic education; adrenal insufficiency; medical social approach.

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