Effectiveness of Nurse-led Educational Interventions on Glycemic Control and Self-care Behaviors of Type 2 Diabetics: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Blood glucose control is challenging for patients with diabetes and is often associated with self-care behaviors. The effectiveness of nurse-led educational interventions for glycemic control and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes is unclear.

Objective: To determine effectiveness of nurse-led educational intervention on glycemic control and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design: Mixed methods systematic review.

Data Sources: A comprehensive search in Medline, CINAHL and Scopus was conducted in February 2023 to identify peer-reviewed papers published between 2003 and 2023.

Review Methods: The review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review manual. Data were extracted and assessed by two evaluators using a standardized checklist. Due to the high level of heterogeneity between studies, the data were analyzed using Popay et al.'s (2006) conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews.

Results: Ten randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Studies described nurse-led educational interventions delivered either face-to-face or online. The outcomes of the educational interventions and the measurement tools used were diverse, with many studies reporting attrition. Most studies reported that nurse-led educational interventions improved outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions: The evidence identifies that nurse-led educational interventions are effective for glycemic control and self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes. This review demonstrates evidence of approaches that could inform future practice and research to support all adult populations of patients with type 2 diabetes to improve glucose control and self-care behaviors. Future research would benefit from well-designed clinical trials that use common outcome measures to provide more information about the effectiveness as well as the sustainability of such interventions.