The healthiest cookies you’ll choose today

Our website uses cookies to collect useful information that lets us and our partners support basic functionality, analyze visitor traffic, deliver a better user experience, and provide ads tailored to your interests. Agreeing to the use of cookies is your choice. Learn more

Decline cookies Accept cookies
Skip to content
Fullscript leaf logo Sign in
Fullscript logo
Fullscript leaf logo
  • Our platform
    • Practitioner software
    • Pricing
    • Integrations
    • Patients on Fullscript
    • Book a demo
  • Learn
    • Spotlight
    • Protocols
    • Wellness blog
    • Practice resources
    • Webinars
    • Ingredient library
    • Practicing virtually
  • Support
    • Practitioner support
    • Patient help
    • Contact us
    • Or chat with us
Sign in Create account
Integrative Medicine
—

Diabetes Behavior Change: How Nurse Practitioners Can Support Patients

October 19, 2022
Fact checked
Written by Jayelah Bush, BScN
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Natacha Montpellier, ND, B.Sc.
  1. Wellness blog
  2. Diabetes Behavior Change: How Nurse Practitione...

Primary care physicians often have limited time with patients during their visits, affecting treatment adherence, health outcomes, and patient satisfaction—especially for patients with complex chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus. (12)(18)  Diabetes outcomes are primarily influenced by patients’ ability to self-manage and make appropriate behavior changes. (17) Not receiving enough personalized care can negatively impact patients’ motivation to change. Addressing your patients’ barriers to change and having a supportive patient-practitioner relationship can help improve patient adherence and satisfaction. (10)(13)

The team care model is patient-centered and allows patients to receive primary care from other qualified healthcare providers (e.g., nurse practitioners). Primary care under this model has shown to be a practical way to improve the quality of patient care. (12) Nurse practitioners often spend more time with patients, provide more education, and generally receive better patient satisfaction ratings than physician care alone. (2) 

Fullscript offers a variety of other educational resources for both practitioners and their patients, as well as innovative tools that nurse practitioners can use to help promote behavioral change in their patients with chronic conditions. Keep reading below to learn more about diabetes education and supporting behavioral change in patients with diabetes. 

diabetes education by nurse practitioners
Diabetes management is multifaceted, requiring major lifestyle and behavioral changes, such as taking daily medication and improving diet and exercise habits. (15)

Supporting diabetes-related behavioral change

Behavioral change is a complex journey that the patient’s perceived barriers can greatly influence. (17) Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression, which can negatively affect their ability to self-manage their condition. (16) Other common barriers to behavior change include:

  • Confusing or unclear practitioner communication
  • Financial restrictions
  • High provider/clinic workload
  • Lack of patient motivation, willingness, or trust
  • Low levels of health literacy and ineffective patient education
  • Poor patient-practitioner relationship (6)(14)

While team-based care addresses specific barriers, there are several other techniques and Fullscript features that nurse practitioners can use to invoke positive health outcomes for patients with diabetes. 

Techniques that support behavior change

There are several ways to promote behavior change and a good patient-practitioner relationship, including using inclusive communication, following the patient-centered care model, and helping patients set realistic health goals. 

1. Patient-centered care

Patient-centered care is a practice model that emphasizes the needs and preferences of the patient to provide the best possible care. The patient-centered care model is a popular evidence-based approach to healthcare associated with higher patient satisfaction, improved health outcomes, and enhanced communication. (1)(11) Applying the elements of patient-centered care to patients with diabetes can improve diabetes-related self-care and overall quality of life. (20)

Learn more about how you can implement patient-centered care in your practice.

patient centered care diagram
There are six key elements of patient-centered care.

2. Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a highly effective strategy for encouraging behavior change in patients with diabetes. MI makes patients feel empowered, improving treatment adherence and willingness to change. Various studies have shown that MI improves glycemic control and HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar levels), weight loss, well-being, and quality of life. (5)(7)(9)

Learn more about how to apply motivational interviewing techniques with your patients.

3. SMART goals 

Assisting patients with setting health goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-related (SMART) may help increase patient success. (3) Try to focus on the behavior change(s) necessary for reaching their desired health outcomes, and provide tools and education, such as goal-tracking apps or worksheets, to encourage achievement. 

Download a patient handout on goal-setting strategies to use during your next appointment.

Fullscript features that support behavior change

With so many barriers to patient engagement, invoking health behavior change in patients with type 2 diabetes can be complex. Fortunately, there are a variety of Fullscript features that can help improve treatment adherence and motivate patients to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. 

1. Adherence boosting tools 

Patient appointments can be infrequent, with little communication between visits. (19) As reported by patients with type 2 diabetes, regular communication between visits may help them better manage their condition. (15) As your adherence partner, Fullscript offers a variety of tools that can help keep your patients engaged, including:

  • Adherence surveys 
  • Automatic ordering (Autoship)
  • Insights dashboard
  • Patient discounts/promotions
  • Refill reminders 

Discover more about Fullscript’s adherence-boosting tools. 

2. Patient education (in-app Resource Library) 

Diabetes education can improve health literacy, empowering patients to become more engaged in their care and developing their treatment plans. Patients who are more engaged are more likely to experience better health outcomes. (4)(8)

Fullscript has embedded a comprehensive library of evidence-based materials in our treatment plan tool to make educating patients a seamless experience for everyone. Similar to the SMART goal-setting worksheet, the Fullscript Resource Library boasts over 150 patient education resources, including handouts, infographics, and detailed guides. Patient education has many benefits, including reinforcing essential information for condition management, preventing complications, and advocating self-care. (8)

Fullscript patient resources
Browse all of Fullscript’s patient education offerings in the Resource Library.

Take the time to review the provided educational materials with your patient during their visit to answer questions and highlight critical information. Then, emphasize the importance of the provided patient education in your follow-up communications and treatment plan. 

Learn more about the Resource Library and how to attach Fullscript resources to your next in-app treatment plan.

3. Practitioner education

Treatment adherence and health behavior changes are integral components of patient wellness, but with so many factors influencing both, it can be challenging to know how to approach each patient’s unique needs. Similar to patient education resources, Fullscript’s Integrative Medical Advisory team also produces evidence-based practitioner resources, including clinical guides, protocols, and whitepapers. Whether you’re looking for information on common drug-nutrient interactions, or ways to improve patient treatment adherence, there are many Fullscript resources to choose from. 

Read Fullscript’s most recent whitepaper on behavioral change to learn more about supporting patients with type 2 diabetes. 

The bottom line 

Consistent adherence to a treatment regimen is essential for managing type 2 diabetes. Nonadherence can result from multiple factors, but one significant influence is patient-doctor communication. Following a team-based care practice model that lets nurse practitioners provide primary care can positively influence the patient-practitioner relationship. Combined with practical behavior change tools and methods of communication, nurse practitioners can help promote positive health outcomes for their patients. Fullscript offers a variety of resources, including patient and practitioner education and an insights dashboard that practitioners can use to help patients meet their health goals. 

Fullscript simplifies supplement dispensing

Create your dispensary today I'm a patient
References
  1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2018). Six domains of health care quality. https://www.ahrq.gov/talkingquality/measures/six-domains.html 
  2. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). Quality of nurse practitioner practice. https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-resource/position-statements/quality-of-nurse-practitioner-practice 
  3. Bailey, R. R. (2019). Goal setting and action planning for health behavior change. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 13(6), 615–618.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Patient engagement. https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/researchevaluate/patient-engage.html 
  5. Channon, S. J., Huws-Thomas, M. V., Rollnick, S., Hood, K., Cannings-John, R. L., Rogers, C., & Gregory, J. W. (2007). A multicenter randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing in teenagers with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 30(6), 1390–1395.
  6. Chegini, Z., Janati, A., Babaie, J., & Pouraghaei, M. (2020). Exploring the barriers to patient engagement in the delivery of safe care in Iranian hospitals: A qualitative study. Nursing Open, 7(1), 457–465.
  7. Dellasega, C., Añel-Tiangco, R. M., & Gabbay, R. A. (2012). How patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus respond to motivational interviewing. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 95(1), 37–41.
  8. Fereidouni, Z., Sabet Sarvestani, R., Hariri, G., Kuhpaye, S. A., Amirkhani, M., & Kalyani, M. N. (2019). Moving into action: The master key to patient education. The Journal of Nursing Research: JNR, 27(1), 1–8.
  9. Greaves, C. J., Middlebrooke, A., O’Loughlin, L., Holland, S., Piper, J., Steele, A., Gale, T., … & Daly, M. (2008). Motivational interviewing for modifying diabetes risk: A randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of General Practice: The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 58(553), 535–540.
  10. Greene, J., Hibbard, J. H., Alvarez, C., & Overton, V. (2016). Supporting patient behavior change: Approaches used by primary care clinicians whose patients have an increase in activation levels. Annals of Family Medicine, 14(2), 148–154.
  11. Greene, S. M., Tuzzio, L., & Cherkin, D. (2012). A framework for making patient-centered care front and center. The Permanente Journal, 16(3), 49–53.
  12. Guo, F., Lin, Y.-L., Raji, M., Leonard, B., Chou, L.-N., & Kuo, Y.-F. (2020). Processes and outcomes of diabetes mellitus care by different types of team primary care models. PloS One, 15(11), e0241516.
  13. Judge-Ellis, T., & Wilson, T. R. (2017). Time and NP practice: Naming, claiming, and explaining the role of nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners: JNP, 13(9), 583–589.
  14. Kelly, S., Martin, S., Kuhn, I., Cowan, A., Brayne, C., & Lafortune, L. (2016). Barriers and facilitators to the uptake and maintenance of healthy behaviours by people at mid-life: A rapid systematic review. PloS One, 11(1), e0145074.
  15. Khurana, L., Durand, E. M., Gary, S. T., Otero, A. V., Dumais, K. M., Beck, J., Zurakowski, D., … & Dallabrida, S. M. (2019). Mechanisms for improving diabetes patient-provider communication through optimal use of e-clinical technologies. Patient Preference and Adherence, 13, 981–992.
  16. Richardson, G. C., Derouin, A. L., Vorderstrasse, A. A., Hipkens, J., & Thompson, J. A. (2014). Nurse practitioner management of type 2 diabetes. The Permanente Journal, 18(2), e134–e140.
  17. Shrivastava, S. R., Shrivastava, P. S., & Ramasamy, J. (2013). Role of self-care in management of diabetes mellitus. Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, 12(1), 14.
  18. Tai-Seale, M., McGuire, T. G., & Zhang, W. (2007). Time allocation in primary care office visits. Health Services Research, 42(5), 1871–1894.
  19. Welch, H. G., Chapko, M. K., James, K. E., Schwartz, L. M., & Woloshin, S. (1999). The role of patients and providers in the timing of follow-up visits. Telephone care study group. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 14(4), 223–229.
  20. Williams, J. S., Walker, R. J., Smalls, B. L., Hill, R., & Egede, L. E. (2016). Patient-centered care, glycemic control, diabetes self-care, and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, 18(10), 644–649.

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Disclaimer

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Next
Back to main wellness blog page

Get more resources for your practice

Protocols
Practice resources
Ingredient library
Webinars

Share

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Fullscript content philosophy

At Fullscript, we are committed to curating accurate, and reliable educational content for practitioners and patients alike. Our educational offerings cover a broad range of topics related to integrative medicine, such as supplement ingredients, diet, lifestyle, and health conditions.

Medically reviewed by expert practitioners and our internal Integrative Medical Advisory team, all Fullscript content adheres to the following guidelines:

  1. In order to provide unbiased and transparent education, information is based on a research review and obtained from trustworthy sources, such as peer-reviewed articles and government websites. All medical statements are linked to the original reference and all sources of information are disclosed within the article.
  2. Information about supplements is always based on ingredients. No specific products are mentioned or promoted within educational content.
  3. A strict policy against plagiarism is maintained; all our content is unique, curated by our team of writers and editors at Fullscript. Attribution to individual writers and editors is clearly stated in each article.
  4. Resources for patients are intended to be educational and do not replace the relationship between health practitioners and patients. In all content, we clearly recommend that readers refer back to their healthcare practitioners for all health-related questions.
  5. All content is updated on a regular basis to account for new research and industry trends, and the last update date is listed at the top of every article.
  6. Potential conflicts of interest are clearly disclosed.
Read more
Fullscript logo

We're certified carbon-neutral. It's part of our commitment to helping people get better.

American flag - toggles to show american specific contentUnited States
Canadian flag - toggles to show canada specific contentCanada
Product
  • Practitioner software
  • Integrations
  • Pricing
  • Patients
  • Supplement quality
  • Treatment adherence
  • Catalog
  • Wholesale
Company
  • Spotlight
  • About Fullscript
  • Collective
  • Leadership
  • Culture guide
  • Careers
  • Engineering
  • News
Support
  • Practitioner support
  • Patient help
  • Testimonials
  • General FAQ
  • Patient shipping
  • Wholesale shipping

© Fullscript 2023. All rights reserved.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Customer Support Policy
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
Send this to a friend