Researchers with the ETSU College of Nursing would like to hear from women who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes for participation in a special study.

The new study now under way is focusing on the self-management practices of adult women with diabetes mellitus, or type II diabetes.

"The daily regimen of self-managing diabetes is very demanding and complex," said Dr. Kathleen M. Rayman, assistant professor of Professional Roles and Mental Health Nursing at ETSU.

"Patients must follow strict dietary guidelines, exercise regularly, take medication, and understand proper foot, eye, and skin care. They also have to continually monitor their blood glucose level, while some are required to take insulin shots.

"How well a patient follows this routine can mean the difference between life and death.

"Findings from a major research initiative, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), stated that proper self-management can help prevent or delay complications associated with diabetes, such as blindness, loss of a limb, or even kidney failure."

According to Dr. Rayman, the primary goal of the study is to better understand the experiences of women who do well with self-management and those who do not. She and Dr. Gerri Ellison, a colleague in Oklahoma, will be comparing the experiences of those who manage poorly with women who do well in their self-management practices. In addition, the researchers hope to identify personal, social, and organizational characteristics that influence participation in self-management.

Dr. Rayman believes this information will be useful to women ho have been diagnosed with diabetes, as well as the healthcare professionals who treat them.

continued at top of next column

POSITIONING
YOURSELF FOR
WHERE YOU WANT
TO GO

Do you want to move up the career ladder? Do you feel your abilities are not being fully utilized in your current position? Would you like greater challenges? Would you like to do what you love? Are you feeling stagnant in your current job? Are you ready to position yourself for where you want to go? If you answered yes to any of these questions, be sure to attend the three-part coaching sessions conducted by Margaret Kellogg, L.C.S.W., during October 2000.

Ms. Kellogg is a personal and business coach with 20 years of experience in personal and professional development for women. She believes that deciding what you want in life is a difficult question many people are afraid to answer. However, once answered, putting the strategies in place to get there is the easy part.

continued at top of next column

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE WORKPLACE

Gender Differences in the Workplace videotape series is scheduled for presentation during October and November. This series was first presented in fall 1999. Please join us for any or all of the series of four workshops. The dates, times, and locations of these presentations are included in the WRC Calendar of Events on page 3.

Dr. Pat Heim, noted author and well-known consultant in management development and gender differences who received her Ph.D. in communication from the University of Colorado, conducts the videotape series on the cultural differences unique to each gender in our society.

continued at top of next column

Each of these cultures is functional within its own set of cultural norms, but problems may arise in the workplace because the differences in these two cultures are often invisible to us. Each videotape is 30-40 minutes in length. Dr. Heim's presentations are informative, entertaining, and productive for day-to-day application in your respective department or area.

This video series is co-sponsored by the Office of Women in Medicine and the Women's Resource Center.

October 2000 - NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

October 1-7, 2000 - MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK

October 20, 2000 - NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY

November 2000 - NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH