Effects of a shared decision-making guide tool on confidence in diabetes management using continuous glucose monitoring among diabetes nurses: a randomized controlled trial

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) between patients and their healthcare professionals in developing treatment plans is increasingly recognized as central to improving treatment adherence and, ultimately, patient outcomes. This study investigated the effects of a SDM guide tool on confidence in diabetes management using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) among diabetes nurses.

Methods: Twenty-seven diabetes nurses were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in both groups received a 60-min basic course on CGM. Participants in the intervention group underwent a 90-min advanced course using a SDM guide tool. Confidence (13 items), attitude (11 items), knowledge (16 items), and consultation style (5 items) were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the intervention. Evaluation of the tool (13 items) was assessed in the intervention group.

Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group had greater changes in confidence score after the intervention (1.4 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 1.5 points; P < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the attitude, knowledge, and consultation style scores between the groups. The evaluation score with the tool was relatively high.

Conclusion: This program using a SDM guide tool may be effective in increasing confidence in diabetes management using CGM among diabetes nurses.

Medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and hospital readmission outcomes of a diabetes transitional care intervention

Melissa Scollan-Koliopoulos — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The time between hospital discharge and follow-up medical care is a time that often leaves people with diabetes without the support necessary to ensure medication adherence and assistance with determining when emergency care may be appropriate. The I-Care-4-Health Transition intervention was developed to reduce hospital readmissions.

Methods: A quasi-experimental intention-to-treat design was employed to evaluate a transitional care intervention in a Northeast Coast hospital in the United States of America, initiated during the initial hospital stay and continued for 6 months following hospitalization. The intervention adapted components of leading transitional care interventions. It was delivered to n = 86 people with diabetes by healthcare technicians serving in a navigational role with an advanced nurse practitioner-led team, which also included hospital nurses and physicians. Scripted talking points on red flag symptom instructions and medication adherence were delivered on scheduled telephone calls.

Results: Significant improvements were noted in medication adherence (t = 3.77, p < 0.001) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (t = 3.04, p = 0.003), with medication adherence predicting HRQOL at program completion (F = 8.37, p = 0.005). Medication side effects accounted for 42% of the variance in HRQOL, and suboptimal adherence was associated with hospital admissions (F = 4.5, p = 0.04). The readmission rate was 22% for the sample.

Conclusion: Team-based care can include technician-level navigators working under the supervision of advanced practice nurses to provide continuous, across-setting support through scheduled telephone calls, beginning during hospitalization and continuing after hospital discharge. The I-Care-4-Health Transitions project improved medication adherence and HRQOL in individuals with diabetes from low-income backgrounds and can ensure appropriate and timely emergency department use to prevent 30-day all-cause readmissions.

International Diabetes Nursing

Effects of a shared decision-making guide tool on confidence in diabetes management using continuous glucose monitoring among diabetes nurses: a randomized controlled trial

Medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and hospital readmission outcomes of a diabetes transitional care intervention