[Education of the patient for therapy with personal insulin pump].

Insulin pump therapy is a diabetes management tool that can significantly aid in achieving treatment goals in children, adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These goals include optimal glycaemic control, lifestyle flexibility, quality-of-life improvement, and independence. Successful implementation of CSII requires a motivated, conscientious patient with a range of technical skills and self-management capabilities. Patients develop this knowledge through the program of education provided by a healthcare team including diabetologists, diabetes educator, dietietian, pump manufacturer representative, and in some cases, mental health professionals. Training of the patient to use a pump includes three basic steps: 1 - pre-pump education, 2 - pump start-up, 3 - evaluation, independence assessment and re-education. It is a relatively long process that can range from a few weeks to several months. Insulin pump therapy checklist, included in this paper, is a useful tool in planning and providing education for insulin pump users.