Summary for teams
Monitoring Individual Needs in persons with Diabetes
Implementing Psychological Needs Assessment as Part of
Ongoing Diabetes Care. An International DAWN Initiative.
What: DAWN MIND is an international project aimed at implementing a nurse-led psychological needs assessment in routine care, following clinical guidelines (IDF, ADA). It includes a computerised annual assessment of well-being followed by discussion with the patient, and an action plan is agreed upon.
Why: There is substantial evidence that psychosocial needs are now often unmet in routine care and monitoring of well-being helps to recognise and address psychosocial issues.
How: Patients fill out questions regarding their well-being on the computer prior to their regular annual appointment. Patients are also asked to help set the agenda. After completion, a summary of the results is made available and is discussed. If needed (e.g. in case of poor psychological well-being) actions are taken, for example a referral. Ideally, patients have access to psychological services within their care centre. Minimally, patients can be referred to external mental health care professionals within the local area.
After monitoring, additional data on demographics and medical variables (like HbA1c) are noted in a separate sheet.
Who: All diabetes patients who are scheduled for their annual review are eligible for participation in the monitoring procedure. However, patients with poor reading abilities and/or poor pc skills may be excluded for practical reasons. Nonetheless, with a little bit of help most patients are able to complete the computerised assessment.
When: The monitoring of well-being is offered once a year to the patient, as part of ongoing outpatient care. Monitoring can start after following a number of steps (see “7 Steps to get going”).
