Diabetes specialist nurses’ perceptions of their multifaceted role

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore diabetes specialist nurses’ (DSNs’) perceptions of their professional role in diabetes care.

Exploratory interviews were used to elicit DSNs’ perceptions of their professional role. Twenty-nine DSNs working in 23 primary health care centres in northern Sweden were interviewed in focus groups. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

The DSNs described their profession as encompassing five major roles: ‘expert’, ‘fosterer’, ‘executive’, ‘leader’, and ‘role model’. Challenges interpreted as role ambiguities included feeling uninformed, fragmented, resigned, pressed for time, and self-reproachful.

The profession of DSN was interpreted as multifaceted, with various roles and role ambiguities. Patient-centred care and empowerment, which are recommended in diabetes care, can be difficult to achieve when DSNs experience role ambiguity.

Lack of clarity about role demands and difficulty in reconciling different roles may have a negative impact on DSNs’ attitudes in clinical encounters and could inhibit patient-centred care. The development of the DSN profession requires improved awareness of the DSN’s professional role in the clinical encounter, not only to improve the care of patients with diabetes, but also to retain these professionals.

Keywords:

• diabetes specialist nurse
• patient-centred care
• professional role
• role ambiguity