Referral for Diabetes Self‐Management Education and Support in Adult Primary Care: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACT Aims The purpose of this integrative review was to identify effective diabetes self‐management education and support for increasing adult primary care referrals, participation rates and improving health outcomes for persons with diabetes. Design Integrative review. Methods A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL was performed by applying the PRISMA guidelines. Following Whittemore and Knafl's method, 11 papers were included for review. Results Integration of diabetes self‐management education and support in primary care clinics and a multifaceted approach resulted in improved referral and participation rates, ameliorated glycated haemoglobin A1C and boosted patient, provider and staff satisfaction. Conclusion Patient‐centred multifaceted interventions can boost current diabetes self‐management education referrals and participation rates and enhance health outcomes for persons with diabetes. Nurses in their role as primary care providers, diabetes educators and clinic staff are well‐positioned to undertake this intervention. Further investigation is needed to explore the impact of these interventions among individuals with type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes and those living across various global regions. Implications for Patient Care Along with other healthcare providers, nurses are qualified to advocate for, and lead programmes that increase referrals for persons with diabetes to improve health outcomes. Additionally, as primary care providers, nurse practitioners are well placed to positively impact the outcomes of individuals with diabetes by referring them to diabetes self‐management education. Nurses, as diabetes educators, are well positioned to implement diabetes self‐management education which can improve patient outcomes. Impact Improved referral of persons with diabetes to diabetes self‐management education and increased participation have the propensity to contribute to the achievement of positive health outcomes for individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes. Patient or Public Contribution There is no patient or public contribution for this review.