Social support intervention for self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Social support interventions seek to improve the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They provide an opportunity to generate greater social value in nursing care and achieve preventive health behaviors. Methods: A randomized controlled trial will be employed, covering 94 adults diagnosed with T2DM who attend outpatient diabetes consultations. Using 1:1 random allocation, 47 patients will be assigned to the social support intervention group and 47 will be assigned to the usual care group. The participants will be assessed using the following Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) labels: self-management: diabetes (1619); and social support (1504). The study participants will receive four individualized fortnightly sessions of social support, lasting 40 minutes each, and will be followed up on for three months afterwards. Results: The participants in the social support intervention group are expected to achieve greater self-management of T2DM than the participants in the usual care group. Discussion: Testing a social support intervention provided to adults by nurses for self-management of T2DM is a novel approach based on disciplinary theoretical support. It is consistent with the new paradigms, providing opportunities for comprehensive care and enabling those who live with diabetes to be more autonomous and empowered and to enjoy better health outcomes and a better quality of life.