Promoting health in children and adolescents with – or at risk of – Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United States: An interview – study of nurses’ experiences of their role

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents is increasing throughout the world and the USA. Previous research has shown that the nurses have an important role in the management of T2DM in children and adolescents, but few studies have covered how the nurses perceive and experience their role. Aim: This paper aims to describe how nurses experience their role in the care of children and adolescents with T2DM and their families. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data from eight registered nurses and nurse practitioners who worked in an American university hospital area participated in the study. An inductive qualitative approach was used and the data were analysed through the content analysis. The findings were described in four categories: overcoming challenges; improving life quality; being cooperative and being committed to one’s role as a diabetes nurse forming the theme Promoting health. Conclusions: The diabetes nurse has a key role in the work of promoting health and the results elucidate the complexity of the role. To be able to plan for and to implement an evidence-based approach based on theoretical models of behaviour and consideration of the child’s needs, not only requires a commitment from health professionals but also involves education and discussions that require both commitment and managerial and economic support from leaders in children’s healthcare and managers of health services.