Abstract
Aim:
The aim of this study was to gain insight into how nurses experience the introduction of a new empowerment-based approach, Guided Self-Determination (GSD), in outpatient nurse-led group consultations among adults with type 1 diabetes.
Background:
Participation in group education programmes is essential to provide people with diabetes with necessary knowledge and skills to self-manage their condition. However, research is lacking on the experiences of nurses introducing new teaching methods and approaches in diabetes management.
Methods:
We collected data from qualitative interviews with five nurses employed at a university hospital in Norway. The interviews were taped and transcribed. We performed the analysis according to the Braun & Clarke description of thematic analysis and followed their six phases.
Findings:
The process the nurses went through could be a challenge. Leaving their usual practice “on safe ground”, they went through three stages: “in open waters”, “weather the storms” and “help to navigate”. In the learning process by introducing GSD, they had to change their way of thinking and their approach to patients. Using empowerment through GSD enabled them to develop professional relational competence.
Conclusions:
Nurses can reach their patients better by developing professional relational competence and allowing for empowerment. However, the transition from traditional consultation forms to GSD was demanding.