Demonstrating the added value of community health nursing for clients with insulin-dependent diabetes

Abstract

The importance of demonstrating that nursing care adds value to client outcomes is discussed broadly as well as within the dimensions of a community health nursing outcomes study. The study examined the effect of a community health nursing intervention on the health behaviors and health status of adults with insulin-treated diabetes as measured by client outcomes using a two-group repeated measures experimental design. The findings indicate that the community health nursing intervention significantly enhanced the self-reported self-care behaviors of blood glucose testing, complication management, nutrition regimen adherence, and reporting foot change in the experimental group. No differences were found between the groups in outcomes for dietary adherence, foot care, blood glucose levels and overall diabetes knowledge, metabolic control, or functional health status. Challenges for community health nurse researchers engaging in client outcome studies are delineated and discussed.